“ISRO confirmed that the Chandrayaan-3 Propulsion Module fulfilled it’s main goal, and now has leveraged to gether additional data for upcoming lunar missions and showcase operational strategies for future sample return mission.”
As per ISRO, “We have executed a unique operation, relocating the Propulsion Module (PM) of Chandrayaan-3 from a lunar orbit to around Earth, for an extended run after it completed its original mission objectives.”
They have further confirmed that “the PM fulfilled its main goal, transporting the lander module from the Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) to the final lunar polar circuit orbit, and achieving successful separation as intended.”
After the separation, ISRO said it operated on the Spectropolarimetry of the Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload that is within the PM. They said, “Originally stated for a three-month operation during the PM’s mission life, optimised orbital maneuvers left over 100kg of fuel after over a month in lunar orbit.”
ISRO further explained that “To facilitate continued earth observation via the SHAPE payload, ISRO strategically re-orbited the PM to a suitable earth orbit. The plan prioritized collision avoidance with the Moon’s surface and Earth’s Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) belt at 36,000 km and lower on the lower orbits.”
They further said, “The PM’s optimal return trajectory was designed for October 2023, with precise manoeuvres altering its altitude and orbit period, eventually transitioning it away from the Moon’s sphere of influence on November 10. Presently, the PM orbits Earth, crossing its first perigee on November 22 at an altitude of 1.54 lakh km, with 13 days and a 27-degree inclination. ISRO assures no threat to operational Earth-orbiting satellites based on orbit predictions.”
