The team of ISRO engineers further nudged the Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft closer to moon on Friday in an operation lasting 20 minutes. The spacecraft will now go around the moon in an almost circular orbit of 124 km x 164 km, eventually getting into the desired orbit of around 100 km x 100 km.
“The fourth lunar bound orbit manoeuvre for Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft was performed successfully today (August 30) beginning at 18:18 hours IST as planned, using the on-board propulsion system. All spacecraft parameters are normal,” said an ISRO update. This was the fourth orbit manoeuvre since the orbiter-lander reached the moon’s vicinity on August 20. ISRO tweeted a mock message from the spacecraft: “Chandrayaan-2 to Mission Control: 4 done, 1 to go.” The next manoeuvre is planned for September 1 around 6 p.m.
