India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III blasts off carrying Chandrayaan-2, from the Satish Dhawan space center at Sriharikota, India, July 22, 2019. (Photo: Agencies)
NEW DELHI - The first de-orbiting manoeuvre for India's second moon mission Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft was performed successfully on Tuesday, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
ISRO said in its statement, "The first de-orbiting manoeuvre for Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft was performed successfully today beginning at 0850 hrs IST as planned, using the onboard propulsion system. The duration of the manoeuvre was 4 seconds."
The orbit of Vikram Lander is 104 km x 128 km. Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter continues to orbit the Moon in the existing orbit and both the Orbiter and Lander are healthy, IRSO added.
The next de-orbiting manoeuvre is scheduled on Sept 4.
Launched on July 22, its lander named "Vikram" will attempt to make a soft-landing on the Lunar surface on Sept 7.