Chandrayaan-3 mission: Why shifting module's orbit from Moon to Earth was critical for ISRO

ISRO conducted a surprise mission with the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module by shifting it from the Moon orbit to Earth’s orbit.

ISRO has successfully achieved an unplanned mission objective as it has brought back the Chandrayaan-3 mission propulsion module back to Earth orbit.

After the Vikram lander hop experiment, the Chandrayaan-3 mission, yet again registered a historic milestone. 

The surprise mission was integral for ISRO as it gave them insight into the planning and execution of trajectory and maneuvers from the Moon to Earth.

Therefore, ISRO will be able to develop technologies to conduct such maneuvers operation for future lunar missions. In effect, bring moon material back to Earth in the future. 

Additionally, the planning for gravity-assisted flybys across planets and celestial bodies would be easier with the hands-on experience.

Additionally, effective planning would reduce the chances of uncontrolled crashes of the spacecraft on the lunar surface.

The Chandrayan-3 propulsion module could travel back the Earth orbit as it had a huge amount of fuel left over to stay active.

Therefore, Chandrayaan-3 Propulsion module will aid scientists in conducting successful lunar missions, including the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission.

ISRO reported that the module orbiting Earth will bring no harm to other operational Earth-orbiting satellites.

The SHAPE payload installed in the propulsion module is also active during the course of its orbit, ISRO said.