Prime Minister Modi Extends Congratulations to ISRO for Chandrayaan-3’s Successful Detour by Propulsion Module

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) for achieving another significant milestone in space technology. The Propulsion Module of Chandrayaan-3 successfully completed a unique experiment by transitioning from a lunar orbit to an orbit around Earth. PM Modi took to social media to congratulate ISRO for this achievement and highlighted the country’s ambitious goal of sending an Indian to the Moon by 2040.

ISRO described the experiment as similar to the hop experiment conducted on the Vikram Lander. The Propulsion Module, also known as PM, was moved from its orbit around the Moon to an orbit around Earth. An orbit-raising maneuver and a Trans-Earth injection maneuver were carried out to place the PM in an Earth-bound orbit.

The primary objective of the Chandrayaan-3 mission was to demonstrate a soft landing near the lunar south polar region and conduct experiments using the instruments on the Vikram Lander and Pragyaan rover. The mission was launched on July 14, 2023, on board an LVM3-M4 vehicle from SDSC, SHAR. On August 23, the Vikram Lander successfully touched down on the Moon, followed by the deployment of the Pragyaan rover. The scientific instruments on the Lander and Rover operated continuously for one lunar day, fulfilling the defined mission objectives of Chandrayaan-3.

The successful detour of the Propulsion Module marks another significant achievement for ISRO in its pursuit of space exploration and technology advancement. The Prime Minister’s acknowledgment further highlights the government’s support and commitment to India’s space endeavors.