Chandrayaan-3 Mission: 9 Key Insights

The Chandrayaan-3 mission, initiated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has once again captured the global audience's attention. As this ambitious lunar journey unfolds, certain key aspects and challenges surround this mission. Let's delve deeper into what makes Chandrayaan-3 such a significant mission for ISRO and India.

Critical Lunar Orbit Insertion Phase

The success of Chandrayaan-3 primarily depends on the lunar orbit insertion phase. It's a meticulously planned manoeuvre aimed at decelerating the spacecraft, enabling the Moon's gravitational pull to capture it and secure it in a stable lunar orbit.

The Potential Consequences of Failure

If Chandrayaan-3 doesn't get captured by the Moon's gravity, the outcomes can be serious. The spacecraft could either collide with the moon or be propelled away, influenced by Earth's gravitational force.

The Possible Elliptical Orbit

In a situation where the spacecraft is deflected from the Moon due to Earth's gravitational influence, it may find itself in an elliptical orbit around Earth, mimicking the Moon's orbit. This trajectory termed an ellipse, will make the spacecraft swing between its nearest point (perigee) and the farthest point (apogee) from Earth.

Chandrayaan-3's Return Journey Dynamics

The return dynamics of Chandrayaan-3 are governed by the gravitational pulls of both the Moon and Earth. If it orbits too close to the lunar surface, it risks crashing due to the Moon's gravity. On the flip side, if it's too distant, Earth's gravity can divert it entirely away from the Moon.

ISRO’s Potential Response to a Detour