(Image source from: The Indian Express)

Days after ISRO’s most powerful three-stage rocket GSLV-MkIII-M1 launched Chandrayaan-2 into the Earth’s orbit and successfully raising the spacecraft’s orbit around the earth for the third time on July 29, now India’s second lunar mission is three steps closer to the Moon.

The fourth orbit-raising maneuver is scheduled on August 2 between 2 to 3 p.m. While the first earthbound orbit-raising maneuver for Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft took place on July 26, the second maneuver took place on July 26 while the first took place on July 24.

Chandrayaan-2 aims to go to the moon, the closest cosmic body in space, to foster a new age of discovery, increase the understanding of space, stimulate the advancement of technology, promote global alliances, and inspire a future generation of scientists and explorers.

                        (Image source from: Hindustan Times)

The Chandrayaan 2 spacecraft comprises three segments - the Orbiter weighing 2,379 kg, eight payloads, the lander (Vikram), which is 1,471 kg with four payloads and rover (Pragyan) which is 27 kg with two payloads.

According to ISRO, the trans-lunar insertion of Chandrayaan-2, which will send it to the moon, is scheduled on August 14. Subsequently, the Chandrayaan-2 is scheduled to reach the moon by August 20 and the lander (Vikram) will land on the Earth's sole satellite on September 7.

By Sowmya Sangam