Chandrayaan-1 reaches final lunar orbit

Jayesh Limaye, Nov 14, 2008 1032 hrs IST

This was achieved following a series of three orbit reduction maneuvers in the past three days by firing the 440 Newton Liquid Engine.

E-Mail Print

The Chandrayaan-1 has finally reached its intended final circular lunar orbit at a height of 100 km above the lunar surface. This was achieved following a series of three orbit reduction maneuvers in the past three days by firing the 440 Newton Liquid Engine.

The engine was fired successively for a duration of about sixteen minutes for the maneuvers. In the first step, the farthest point of the spacecraft's orbit from the Moon's surface (aposelene) was first reduced from 7,502 km to 255 km and finally to 100 km, while the nearest point (periselene) was reduced from 200 km to 182 km and finally 100 km.

The carefully planned complex sequence of operations to carry Chandrayaan-1 from its Earth orbit to its intended lunar orbit using its liquid engine is thus complete. The liquid engine was fired a total of ten times to achieve this. Chandrayaan-1 is now orbiting the Moon once every two hours.

This is a polar orbit and when the spacecraft passes over the polar regions, it will conduct chemical, mineralogical and photo geological mapping of the moon using 11 scientific instruments (payloads) onboard. Of these, Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC) and Radiation Dose Monitor (RADOM) have already been successfully switched ON and are operational. If you remember, we have posted pictures taken by the TMC in our previous article.

Now that it has reached its final orbit, the next major event scheduled to happen in the coming days is the release of the Moon Impact Probe (MIP) and its eventual hitting of the lunar surface. It will gather information about future soft-landing in preparation for the manned Indian lunar mission tentatively planned for 2015. Chandrayaan will remain in this orbit for the next two years.

USER COMMENTS

mitrbtu sahi bola ki baat hai tusi INDIA great he G

by inter, Mumbai, on Nov 26, 2008 09:46 AM, Report abuse Reply

Its a great achievement ... makes us proud...i can imagine one day rest of the countries across the globe outsourcing their space missions to INDIA...

by Mitr, New zealand, on Nov 20, 2008 01:51 AM, Report abuse Reply

This time i am proud as an Indian , We are not in earth we are at the moon JAI HIND

by khalid cherupar, tirur, on Nov 19, 2008 02:32 PM, Report abuse Reply

First and froemost I have to thank Mr. Madhavan Nair, Chairman and his colleagues for their great achievement for sending Moon impact Probe to land on the Moon surface. . But in future man mission to moonj I would like to help those who work spontaneously in ISRO. They have to be given some sort of energy to boost themself to work more at the time strenous efforts to carry out their event, This is to say that i have invented a medical Instrument for which i have got my Patent right for my invention. This Instrument helps people to work more number of hours on the monitor without causing any stress or strain or fatigue. And in the bargain it keeps the body as fresh as ever. In this regard i can ensure fitness in one's body. Interested party i would like to demonstrate how this Instrument helps them . even if you use for a long period there is no side effect at all. Let beauty speak itself and once you stat using my medical instrument you know for yourself. Thanking you at this momentous event. Contact No. 044-43500717-Chennai-30

by A. Nalin Ranjan, chennai, on Nov 16, 2008 10:21 PM, Report abuse Reply

Till earth got only rays from the moon, now our scintist made torays are falls on indian faces.

by Ganesh.S.M., CHENNAI, on Nov 16, 2008 10:59 AM, Report abuse Reply

It is really a fantastic achivement for India and India will conquer the space

by pravin, coimbatore, on Nov 16, 2008 07:47 AM, Report abuse Reply

it's a big achievement & in future hope more such missions"ll be successful.

by NIRUPAM DAS, silchar, on Nov 15, 2008 08:29 PM, Report abuse Reply

IN FUTURE ,THE WHOLE WORLD AMAZING, WHEN TALK ABOUT OUR " INDIA " FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT. NO WORDS TO SAY MORE.

by JP AGENCIES, SALEM / T.N / INDIA, on Nov 15, 2008 07:37 PM, Report abuse Reply

it is fantastic achievement for india

by vishav, batala, on Nov 15, 2008 03:27 PM, Report abuse Reply

It was a very great moment when the moon impact probe landed on moon.For this unforgettable day presented by ISRO.I sincerely thank and congratulate the whole team who are involved in chandrayaan mission and its is a grand success of the Indian scientists.I hope this inspires the students towards the astrophysics subject.

by kalmesh v hugar, bangalore, on Nov 15, 2008 03:18 PM, Report abuse Reply

indian research and Space Station build in permanent Moon Best services Best Wish

by R.Muthukumaran, Chennai, on Nov 15, 2008 01:27 PM, Report abuse Reply

HATS OFF ISRO

by karthick, coimbatore, on Nov 15, 2008 12:58 PM, Report abuse Reply

Congratulations ISRO! What an achievement!!!! Proud to be an Indian.

by G Panda, Calgary, on Nov 14, 2008 10:49 AM, Report abuse Reply

You Have done your best.India is proud of your activities.Congratulation to all ISRO members.

by M.goushik, Thirunelvelli,Tamil nadu, on Nov 15, 2008 06:15 AM, Report abuse

i admire sir abdul kalam and wish all ISRO team a greatest congradulations. I LOVE MY INDIA.

by raj, hyderabad, on Nov 14, 2008 10:25 PM, Report abuse Reply

The ISRO scientists have once again proved their efficiency by this historic Chandrayaan 1 project. CONGRATS ISRO, Amartya Banerjee