Indian Space Agency Initiates Chandrayaan-3 Orbit Circularization and Preps for Aditya-L1 Launch
Chennai, Aug 14: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that the process of placing the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft into a circular orbit around the moon has commenced, successfully bringing the spacecraft closer to its lunar destination.
Simultaneously, ISRO is preparing for the launch of its Aditya-L1 spacecraft, a pioneering Indian observatory designed to study the Sun.
“Orbit circularisation phase commences. Precise maneuver performed today has achieved a near-circular orbit of 150 km x 177 km. The next operation is planned for August 16, 2023, around 0830 Hrs. IST,” ISRO tweeted.
Chandrayaan-3 comprises a propulsion module (2,148 kg), a lander (1,723.89 kg), and a rover (26 kg). Following the attainment of the requisite orbit, the lander will disengage from the propulsion module, aiming for a soft landing near the Moon’s South Pole on August 23 at 5.47 p.m.
The intricate soft landing process involves a sequence of complex maneuvers, including both rough and fine braking, as the lander descends from an altitude of around 100 km above the lunar surface. Safety assessments of the landing site region will be conducted to identify hazard-free areas.
Subsequent to a successful landing, the six-wheeled rover will explore the lunar terrain, conducting experiments over a span of one lunar day, equivalent to 14 Earth days.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, which embarked on its journey on July 14 via India’s LVM3 heavy lift rocket, experienced a smooth trajectory, completing its orbit around the Earth before setting course for the Moon on August 1. On that day, ISRO executed a successful perigee-firing at ISTRAC, propelling the spacecraft into its translunar orbit.
Simultaneously, ISRO revealed that its Aditya-L1 spacecraft, heralding India’s inaugural space-based solar observatory, is poised for launch preparations. “The satellite, realized at the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru, has arrived at SDSC-SHAR (India’s rocket port), Sriharikota,” announced ISRO.
Scheduled for launch on a PSLV rocket by late August or early September, Aditya-L1, a coronagraphy satellite, will scrutinize the solar atmosphere from a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth system’s first Lagrange point, L1. This strategic location will enable uninterrupted solar observations, unaffected by eclipses.
The Aditya-L1 mission is slated shortly after ISRO’s anticipated Chandrayaan-3 lander landing attempt on the lunar surface.
