Mercedes Mullins
India's second lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan 2, was launched on 22 July 2019. The mission consists of a lunar orbiter, the Vikram lunar lander, and the Pragyan rover, all of which were developed in India. The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter is orbiting the Moon at an altitude of 100 km and carries eight scientific instruments. The Vikram lander attempted a lunar landing on 6 September 2019 but crashed due to a software error. The lunar orbiter continues to operate in orbit around the Moon. The Chandrayaan-2 mission's approximate launch mass was 2,379 kg, and it saved around 40 kg of fuel onboard the spacecraft. The Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module, which was initially expected to last three to six months, has more than 150 kg of fuel left, extending its lifespan from months to years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel remaining in the propulsion module | 150+ kg |
| Fuel required for separation manoeuvre after reaching lunar orbit | 749 kg |
| Fuel saved due to the cryogenic upper stage being burned to depletion | 40 kg |
| Fuel used for perigee-raising and apogee-raising burns | Not mentioned |
| Fuel used for trans-lunar injection | Not mentioned |
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What You'll Learn
Chandrayaan-2's launch vehicle
Chandrayaan-2 was India's second lunar exploration mission, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The spacecraft was launched on 22 July 2019 at 09:13:12 UTC aboard the LVM3 M1 launch vehicle, also known as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-Mk-III. With a total mass of 3.8 tonnes, it is one of the most powerful rockets maintained by ISRO and is capable of carrying satellites weighing up to 4 tonnes.
The LVM3 M1 rocket played a crucial role in delivering Chandrayaan-2 to its intended orbit. The launch vehicle injected the spacecraft into a parking orbit of 45,475 x 169 km, from which Chandrayaan-2 gradually raised its orbit using onboard propulsion. This phase involved one perigee-raising and five apogee-raising burns, resulting in a highly eccentric orbit of 142,975 x 276 km. The successful completion of these burns enabled the subsequent trans-lunar injection on 13 August 2019, setting Chandrayaan-2 on its path towards the Moon.
The LVM3 M1 launch vehicle is a three-stage rocket, with the first and third stages powered by solid propellant motors and the second stage utilising liquid propellant. The first stage, known as the Core Stage, is equipped with an S200 solid motor producing 4,500 kN of thrust. It also serves as the structural backbone of the launch vehicle, accommodating the second and third stages as well as the payload. The second stage, called the L110 Liquid Stage, is powered by a single P8 engine generating 760 kN of thrust. This stage is responsible for propelling the vehicle to a higher altitude and velocity. The third stage, or Cryogenic Upper Stage, employs an CE-20 engine with a vacuum-rated thrust of 74.5 kN, optimised for operation in the near-vacuum conditions of space.
The Cryogenic Upper Stage is of particular significance as it houses the cryogenic engine, which was indigenously manufactured by India. This engine has been used in previous ISRO missions, demonstrating the country's advancements in rocket propulsion technology. The successful depletion burn of this stage during the Chandrayaan-2 mission eliminated the need for one of the apogee-raising burns, resulting in fuel savings of around 40 kg.
In summary, the LVM3 M1 launch vehicle, also known as GSLV-Mk-III, played a pivotal role in the successful launch and orbital insertion of Chandrayaan-2. Its three-stage propulsion system, utilising both solid and liquid propellants, enabled the spacecraft to reach the intended orbit and initiate its journey towards the Moon. The launch vehicle's performance and the efficient use of fuel contributed to the overall success of the mission.
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Fuel-saving during the geocentric phase
The Chandrayaan-2 mission was launched on July 14 with a propulsion module filled with 1,696.4 kg of fuel. The propulsion module carried out essential tasks, including five manoeuvres while still on Earth and another five as it journeyed towards the Moon. These activities took place from July 15 to August 17, with each manoeuvre using a portion of the fuel.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, which was an attempt to softly land Vikram (the lander) on August 23, also had a propulsion module that held 150kg of fuel. This was way beyond expectations as there were no contingencies requiring corrections, which would have otherwise expended fuel.
Electric Propulsion (EP) Systems
The conventional high-thrust chemical propellant is gradually being replaced by Electric Propulsion (EP) systems in the geostationary region. EP systems tend to have lower fuel consumption and higher accuracy in orbit transfer missions. However, designing control strategies for EP systems is more challenging due to their unique characteristics.
Three-Phase Deep Neural Network (DNN)
A three-phase DNN has been proposed to achieve autonomous station-keeping by optimising transfer time, predicting the Earth's shadow, and guessing the initial costate for the East-West Station Keeping (EWSK) mission. This indirect optimisation method has the potential to solve the station-keeping control law and save fuel.
Continuous Climb Operations (CCO)
Aircraft employing Continuous Climb Operations (CCO) utilise optimum climb engine thrust and climb speeds until reaching their cruising levels. This results in more time being spent at higher, more fuel-efficient cruising levels, reducing fuel burn, emissions, and fuel costs.
Pack-Off Take-Off
During Pack-Off Take-Off, one of the aircraft's air conditioning packs is temporarily turned off to reduce engine workload and save fuel. This optimises fuel efficiency without significantly compromising passenger comfort.
Reduced Flap Take-Off
Reduced Flap Take-Off improves fuel consumption by reducing drag. For example, on a Boeing 737-800, a flap 5 take-off can save 10kg of fuel compared to a flap 15 take-off.
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Fuel left in the propulsion module
The Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module is reported to have more than 150 kg of fuel left. The initial expectation was that the propulsion module would last for three to six months, but with the amount of fuel left, it is projected to remain operational for several years. The propulsion module was filled with 1,696.4 kg of fuel during the launch on July 14. It carried out essential tasks, including five manoeuvres while still on Earth and another five manoeuvres as it journeyed towards the Moon. These activities took place from July 15 to August 17, with each manoeuvre consuming a portion of the fuel.
The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter needed around 749 kg of fuel for the separation manoeuvre after reaching lunar orbit. Similarly, the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module likely utilised a comparable amount or slightly more during this phase. The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter had carried 1,697 kg of propellant, marginally more than the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module.
The Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module is now expected to have a lifespan of several years, allowing the Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planetary Earth (SHAPE) instrument to have more time to study Earth's habitable planet-like features.
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Fuel usage during manoeuvres
The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter transported 1,697 kg of propellant fuel, slightly more than the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module. The propulsion module carried out essential tasks, including five manoeuvres while still on Earth and another five manoeuvres as it journeyed towards the Moon. These activities took place from 15 July to 17 August 2019.
Each of these manoeuvres would have used up a portion of the fuel. While there isn't an exact breakdown of the fuel consumption for each operation, initial estimations from Chandrayaan-2's first two manoeuvres could provide some insights. During the execution of the five manoeuvres on Earth and the trans-lunar injection, the orbiter consumed over 657 kg of fuel.
After reaching lunar orbit, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter needed around 749 kg of fuel for the separation manoeuvre. The Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module would likely have utilised a comparable amount or slightly more during this phase.
The Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module is expected to have expended a similar amount of fuel or slightly more in this phase. With 150+ kg of fuel still left in the module, it could go around the Moon for much longer than the initial design estimate of three to six months.
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Fuel requirements for separation
The Chandrayaan-2 mission, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), required a significant amount of fuel for various stages of the operation. One critical aspect was the fuel required for the separation manoeuvre after reaching lunar orbit.
The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter needed approximately 749 kg of fuel to execute the separation manoeuvre successfully. This stage was crucial for the subsequent phases of the mission. The propulsion module played a vital role in the separation process, and it was initially filled with 1,696.4 kg of fuel during the launch.
The propulsion module was responsible for carrying out essential tasks, including five manoeuvres while the spacecraft was still on Earth and another five manoeuvres during its journey towards the Moon. Each of these manoeuvres consumed a portion of the fuel. While there is no exact breakdown of fuel consumption for each operation, initial estimations from Chandrayaan-2's first two manoeuvres provide valuable insights.
The Chandrayaan-2 mission profile, including the separation manoeuvre, was meticulously planned by ISRO to ensure the efficient use of fuel. The spacecraft's propulsion system played a pivotal role in achieving the required orbit for the Vikram Lander to commence its descent towards the lunar surface. The successful execution of the separation manoeuvre and subsequent de-orbiting manoeuvres contributed to the overall success of the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
The fuel requirements for separation in the Chandrayaan-2 mission were carefully calculated to ensure the precise execution of the manoeuvre. The propulsion module's fuel capacity and the efficient use of fuel during the separation process contributed to the overall success of the mission and extended the lifespan of the spacecraft.
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Frequently asked questions
Chandrayaan 2 was carrying around 40kg of fuel on board the spacecraft.
The Chandrayaan 3 propulsion module holds 150kg of fuel, extending its lifespan from months to years.
Chandrayaan missions are lunar exploration missions developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The main scientific objective is to map and study the variations in lunar surface composition, as well as the location and abundance of lunar water.
