Chandrayaan-3's Propulsion Module shifts orbit from Moon to Earth, says ISRO. All you need to know

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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has executed a unique operation, relocating the Propulsion Module (PM) of Chandrayaan-3 from a lunar orbit to an orbit around Earth, for an extended run after it completed its original mission objectives. ISRO confirmed that the PM fulfilled its main goal, transporting the lander module from the Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) to the final lunar polar circular orbit, and achieving successful separation as intended.

Following separation, ISRO operated the Spectropolarimetry of the HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload within the PM. Originally slated for a three-month operation during the PM's mission life, optimised orbital maneuvers left over 100 kg of fuel after over a month in lunar orbit.

Also Read | Chandrayaan-3, India mission to Moon, sleeps forever: Here's what next for Pragyan rover, Vikram lander Given the surplus fuel, ISRO opted to leverage this to gather additional data for upcoming lunar missions and showcase operational strategies for future sample return missions. To facilitate continued earth observation via the SHAPE payload, ISRO strategically re-orbited the PM to a suitable earth orbit.

The plan prioritised collision avoidance with the Moon’s surface and Earth’s Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) belt at 36,000 km and lower orbits. 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.