Orbit raising maneuver in Chandrayaan-3

On july 14, 2023 LVM3 M4 vehicle has successfully launched Chandrayaan-3 into orbit. Chandrayaan-3, in its precise orbit, has begun its journey to the Moon. The first orbit-raising maneuver (Earthbound firing-1) is successfully performed at ISTRAC/ISRO, Bengaluru. On july 22, 2023 the fourth orbit-raising maneuver is completed. The spacecraft is now in a 71351 km x 233 km orbit.

In spaceflight, an orbital maneuver is the use of propulsion systems to change the orbit of a spacecraft. For spacecraft far from Earth an orbital maneuver is called a deep-space maneuver (DSM).

In orbital mechanics and aerospace engineering, a gravitational slingshot, gravity assist maneuver, or swing-by is the use of the relative movement and gravity of a planet or other celestial body to alter the path and speed of a spacecraft, typically in order to save propellant, time, and expense. Gravity assistance can be used to accelerate, deaccelerate and/or re-direct the path of a spacecraft.

The spacecraft of Chandrayaan-3 is facing multiple orbital raising maneuver. After last thrust from its injection orbit by its engine it will leave the earth gravity and will follow the lunar transfer trajectory. After a while it will take lunar orbit. It will just act opposite what it has done in earth’s gravity. In every angular movement in lunar orbit, it will decrease it distance from the moon. Chandrayaan-3 or the lander will take 40 days to reach the lunar surface. The last step or the soft landing is the most important step. Previous Chandrayaan-2 had failed to landing on moon softly. It was a very painful day for the scientific communities as well as for all Indians. But this time ISRO team is very confident and more meticulous in their work. We are very optimistic that the lander will touch the ground of moon softly and the rover will do its assigned work successfully.