The Chandrayaan-3 mission has achieved another significant milestone, as the spacecraft is set to enter the Moon’s orbit today, August 5, at approximately 7 pm. Since its successful launch on July 14, Chandrayaan has traveled nearly two-thirds of the distance to the Moon. This article delves into the latest update from ISRO and the critical stages ahead for Chandrayaan-3.

New Update on Chandrayaan-3

ISRO has provided a fresh update on Chandrayaan-3, stating that the spacecraft will precisely enter the Moon’s orbit through a maneuver known as Lunar Orbit Injection (LOI). This critical operation is scheduled for August 5 at 7 pm. The update confirms that Chandrayaan is currently functioning flawlessly, instilling confidence in the mission’s success.

Unique Trajectory of Chandrayaan

During its mission, Chandrayaan-3 will orbit the Moon in a direction opposite to its previous orbit around the Earth. The spacecraft will initially traverse an elliptical orbit, after which it will transition to a circular orbit at a distance of 100 km from the lunar surface.

Five Rounds Around the Moon

Chandrayaan’s trajectory involves five distinct orbits around the Moon. Starting with a 40,000 km orbit in its first rotation, it will subsequently shift to a 20,000 km orbit on August 6 and then to a 5,000 km orbit on August 9. Following these steps, Chandrayaan will enter the fourth orbit, situated at 1000 km, on August 14. Finally, on August 16, it will settle into the closest orbit, a mere 100 km from the lunar surface.

Live Tracking for Enthusiasts

ISRO ensures constant monitoring of Chandrayaan’s speed, structure, and direction from its Bengaluru-based Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC). Moreover, ISRO has launched a live tracker, accessible to the general public, to enable real-time tracking of the spacecraft’s whereabouts.

Chandrayaan’s Scientific Objectives

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is geared towards achieving multiple scientific objectives:

Measuring Lunar Plasma Density

One of Chandrayaan’s key tasks is to measure the near-surface plasma density of the Moon. This data will be invaluable in understanding the Moon’s ionosphere and its interactions with solar wind.

Investigating Thermal Properties

Chandrayaan will also study the thermal properties of the Moon’s surface, particularly in its polar regions. This investigation will provide essential insights into the Moon’s surface temperature variations.

Seismic Studies

The spacecraft will measure seismic activity around the landing site and conduct imaging to understand the structure of the Moon’s crust better. This information will enhance our understanding of the Moon’s geological processes.

Analyzing Lunar Soil

Chandrayaan-3 aims to study and analyze the composition of the Moon’s soil. This research will provide valuable data about the Moon’s geological history and its potential for resource exploration.

Conclusion

As Chandrayaan-3 edges closer to its lunar orbit entry, the ISRO team’s hard work and dedication are poised to bear fruit. With its ambitious objectives, this mission promises to add significant knowledge to our understanding of the Moon. We eagerly await the spacecraft’s successful orbit insertion and look forward to the valuable data it will gather during its journey.

FAQs

1. What is Chandrayaan-3’s current status? Chandrayaan-3 is functioning optimally and is set to enter the Moon’s orbit on August 5 through Lunar Orbit Injection (LOI).
2. How many orbits will Chandrayaan make around the Moon? Chandrayaan will make a total of five orbits around the Moon before settling into its final orbit at a distance of 100 km.
3. What scientific objectives will Chandrayaan-3 accomplish? Chandrayaan-3 will measure lunar plasma density, study thermal properties, analyze seismic activity, and explore the composition of the Moon’s soil.
4. Where can I track Chandrayaan’s real-time progress? ISRO has launched a live tracker, accessible to the general public, which allows real-time tracking of Chandrayaan’s location.
5. What happens after Chandrayaan-3 enters the Moon’s orbit? After orbiting the Moon, the lander, Vikram, will separate from Chandrayaan on August 17. Subsequently, Chandrayaan will attempt a soft landing on the lunar surface on August 23.