Rewritten Article:
India's Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module returns to Earth's orbit after moon landing mission
Surplus fuel in the propulsion module unexpectedly allowed scientists to bring it back to Earth. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced this on Monday.
The module is now back in Earth's orbit.
The propulsion module, resembling a large crate with solar panels and motors at the bottom, was installed on the Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander during its launch in mid-2017. After the module aided the lunar lander in reaching the moon's orbit, it detached itself and landed on the moon on August 23. This marked a significant achievement for India, making it the fourth country to successfully land on the moon [1].
During its stay on the moon, the Vikram Lander and its six-wheeled Moon rover Prahan carried out various scientific experiments for 14 days. However, both vehicles went into a mois phase due to the failure of earlier attempts to wake them up. If they were to wake up, it would provide an additional bonus for the mission.
Meanwhile, the propulsion module remains in the moon's orbit. Its primary function is to act as a relay point, transmitting data from the lander back to Earth. This module is carrying out an experiment named SHAPE (Spectral Polarimetric Analyzer and Photopolarimeter Experiment).
The SHAPE experiment aims to observe Earth from the moon's orbit and capture the habitable features of our home planet in near-infrared light. Its objective is to provide scientists with a blueprint to locate similar signatures, or "biosignatures," elsewhere in the universe [1].
Chandrayaan-3 Rewarded Mission
Originally, the SHAPE experiment was scheduled to run for approximately three months while the propulsion module continued its orbit around the moon. However, due to the precision with which the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was launched, the module had more fuel on board than anticipated.
ISRO announced that more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of fuel could be used in the propulsion module after over a month in lunar orbit. The surplus fuel will be utilized to gain additional insights for future moon missions and to demonstrate retrieval mission procedures [2].
By using the information gathered during the propulsion module's return to Earth, ISRO can plan future moon missions more effectively and retrieve lunar soil samples back to Earth.
Interestingly, ISRO had previously tested a method to keep the Chandrayaan-3 rover's landing module afloat on the moon's surface following the landing. This was achieved through a short "hop test," elevating the vehicle a few centimeters off the ground. However, the test was not intended to return the module to lunar orbit or reconnect it with the propulsion module. Instead, it aimed to test aspects of the vehicle's design for future missions [2].
As of now, the propulsion module is orbiting around the Earth at a distance of approximately 96,000 miles (154,000 kilometers) and completes a circuit of the planet in approximately 13 days.
To ensure a safe return voyage for the propulsion module, ISRO considered collision avoidance measures, such as maneuvering it to avoid crashing onto the moon's surface or entering the Earth's geosynchronous orbit [3].
GEO (Geostationary Orbit) is an orbital region inhabited by expensive satellites that provide telecommunication services to people on Earth.
Additional Insights:
The surplus fuel in the propulsion module, initially intended for maneuvering the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, allowed scientists to extend the mission's duration and gather more data. This marked a significant achievement for ISRO in demonstrating the feasibility of extended mission lifetimes and optimizing fuel utilization, which is crucial for future deep-space missions [2].
Moreover, the successful recovery and return of the propulsion module into Earth's orbit can be seen as a milestone in the field of space debris management. ISRO studied the re-entry impact, ballistic trajectory and the effective maneuvering required to avoid collisions with other objects in the Earth's orbit.
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Enrichment Data: The Chandrayaan-3 mission focused on demonstrating soft landing on the lunar surface, rover mobility, and conducting in-situ scientific experiments, as stated in the original article. However, ISRO had successfully tested a method to keep the lander afloat on the moon's surface using a short "hop test" before the actual landing [1]. This test aimed to gather design insights for future missions, but it was initially not intended to return the module to lunar orbit or reconnect it with the propulsion module.
For future missions, such as Chandrayaan-4, which involves multiple modules with multiple docking sessions, more complex mission architectures and new technologies, such as high-capacity propulsion systems, specialized payloads, and robotic arms for sample collection, will be crucial in optimizing and demonstrating sample return mission operations. The data gathered from the Chandrayaan-3 and Chandrayaan-4 missions will be invaluable in honing these technologies and mission strategies. Additionally, the lessons learned from multiple dockings and undockings in both Earth and lunar orbits will contribute to future lunar missions, such as the joint mission with Japan, Lupex (Lunar Polar Exploration Mission).
