Tue Dec 30 03:07:35 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

Astronomer Jonathan McDowell reported on X.com that the abandoned Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module experienced a significant change in its Earth orbit in November 2024 due to gravitational interaction with the Moon. ISRO intentionally placed the module in a wide Earth orbit after it successfully deployed the lander and rover on the moon. This orbit brought the module close enough to the Moon that its gravity caused a “tussle,” resulting in a larger, more tilted, and more elliptical orbit. ISRO monitored the event and gained valuable insights into the effects of the Moon’s gravity on orbiting objects.

News Article:

Chandrayaan-3 Propulsion Module’s Orbit Drastically Altered by Lunar Encounter

Bengaluru, December 30, 2025 – The abandoned propulsion module from India’s successful Chandrayaan-3 mission has undergone a dramatic shift in its Earth orbit due to a gravitational interaction with the Moon. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell revealed the information on X.com, sparking interest within the space community.

According to McDowell, the module, initially placed in a 125,000 x 305,000 km orbit after completing its primary mission in August 2023, now occupies a significantly altered 365,000 x 983,000 km orbit with a 22-degree inclination. This change is attributed to a close encounter with the Moon in November 2024.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed that the propulsion module entered the Moon’s “sphere of influence” and passed near the lunar surface twice during the month. ISRO monitored the event using its Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) and collaborated with NASA and other space agencies to track the module’s trajectory.

“The overall satellite performance was normal during the flyby, and no close approach was experienced with other lunar orbiters,” stated ISRO in November. The organization added that the event provided “valuable insights and experience from mission planning, operations, flight dynamics perspectives, and especially enhanced the understanding of disturbance torque effects.”

Experts emphasize that the change in orbit is a result of the Moon’s gravitational pull, which can significantly affect objects in highly elliptical Earth orbits that approach the Moon’s distance.

The discovery of the altered orbit was facilitated by amateur astronomers, Sam Deen and Luca Buzzi, along with Bill Gray, who developed specialized software for tracking near-Earth objects. Their findings were later confirmed by Dr. McDowell.

The event underscores the complexities of spaceflight and the challenges of predicting the long-term behavior of objects in complex gravitational environments. The data collected during this event will be invaluable for future space missions.

Read More