The Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft is currently in an elliptical orbit under Earth’s gravitational pull.
A propulsion system will thrust Vikram lander and Pragyan rover to the South Pole of Lunar surface.
- This propulsion system fired up to push Chandrayaan 2 out of Earth’s orbit for the fifth time on Tuesday.
- Chandrayaan-2 is a three-module spacecraft with Vikram Lander, Pragyan rover and the GSLV MKIII rocket.
- The main goal now is to enter the lunar gravitational influence.
- The propulsion system will reactivate when at 100Km altitude above lunar surface.
- This will slow down the spacecraft, easing the landing module separation.
- After separation, the Vikram lander will enter the orbit of 100km X 30km. Consequently, it will have to perform braking manoeuvres.
- If all goes as planned (as it has been), Paragyan rover will be sending us data as soon as September 7.
- In other news, we have found water molecules on the moon?!
