Chandrayaan-3 undergoes final deboosting; next stop moon

Chandrayaan-3: The second and last deboosting operation of Chandrayaan-3 was successfully completed, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the early hours of Sunday.

Following that, the module would be subjected to internal checks. The motorized descent is set to begin on August 23.

Deboosting is the process of slowing down in order to put itself in an orbit with the closest point to the Moon (Perilune) at 30 kilometres and the farthest point (Apolune) at 100 kilometres.

“The second and final deboosting operation has successfully reduced the LM orbit to 25 km x 134 km. The module would undergo internal checks and await the sun-rise at the designated landing site. The powered descent is expected to commence on August 23, 2023, around 1745 Hrs. IST,” ISRO said.

After safely separating from the propulsion module the day before, Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander performed a critical deboosting manoeuvre and sank to a slightly lower orbit earlier on Friday.

"The Lander Module (LM) health is normal. LM successfully underwent a deboosting operation that reduced its orbit to 113 km x 157 km. The second deboosting operation is scheduled for August 20, 2023, around 0200 Hrs. IST," ISRO added.

Meanwhile, the lander on the Chandrayaan-3 mission is named after Vikram Sarabhai (1919-1971), widely regarded as the father of India's space program.

ISRO is attempting a successful soft landing on the moon, which would place India fourth in the world behind the United States, Russia, and China.