Chandrayaan-3: Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully underwent a planned orbit reduction maneuver bringing it closer to the Moon’s surface, informed Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday.

Taking the matter to Twitter, ISRO wrote, “The spacecraft successfully underwent a planned orbit reduction maneuver. The retrofiring of engines brought it closer to the Moon’s surface, now to 170 km x 4313 km.  The next operation to further reduce the orbit is scheduled for 9th August, between 13:00 and 14:00 hours IST.”

Earlier, ISRO has released the first images of the Moon as viewed by Chandrayaan 3 – India’s third unmanned Moon mission.

“The Moon, as viewed by Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft during Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) on August 5, 2023,” ISRO tweeted.

Read more: Watch | Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft unveils first images of Moon: ISRO

Chandrayaan-3, has achieved a significant milestone by capturing the first images of the Moon after entering its orbit on Saturday.

ISRO released these images, indicating the mission’s progress and success. The Moon mission has been progressing smoothly, and the space agency now has high hopes for a soft landing on the lunar surface later this month, specifically on August 23, with the Vikram lander.

The journey of Chandrayaan-3 has been nothing short of remarkable. Launched 22 days ago, it embarked on a complicated 41-day voyage to the lunar south pole, a region that has never been explored by any other country before.

This ambitious mission has cost the Indian space agency around Rs 600 crore, making it a significant investment in space exploration.

During its journey, Chandrayaan-3 conducted a crucial maneuver that brought it closer to the Moon, and after the successful completion of this maneuver, it sent a message to ISRO saying, “I am feeling lunar gravity.”

However, Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh also hailed the efforts of the ISRO.

“VIDEO: Here are the very first pictures of the Moon captured by #Chandrayaan3 as it draws closer to its destination. Proud of you India’s Space messenger, as the rest of the world looks at you with awe and envy. #ISRO,” he tweeted.