Part of Chandrayaan-3 launch vehicle makes uncontrolled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere: ISRO

'The probable impact point was predicted over the North Pacific Ocean. The final ground track did not pass over India,' the Indian Space Research Organisation said in a statement.

The cryogenic upper stage of the launch vehicle that successfully injected the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft into its intended orbit made an uncontrolled re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere on Wednesday.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) said the part of the LVM3 M4 launch vehicle re-entered the earth’s atmosphere at around 2.42 pm. The space agency predicted the rocket body part’s probable impact point over the North Pacific Ocean and said its final ground track did not pass over India.

LVM3 M4 injected the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft into a 133 km x 35,823 km orbit on its launch on July 14, 2023. The lander module touched down on the moon’s south polar region on August 23.

“The rocket body re-entry took place within 124 days of its launch. The post-mission orbital lifetime of the LVM3 M4 cryogenic upper stage is, thus, fully compliant with the 25-year rule for LEO (Low Earth Orbit) objects as recommended by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC),” Isro said.

After the spacecraft was injected into the orbit, all residual fuel and energy sources were removed from this rocket body part to minimise the risks of accidental explosions.

The rocket body's process and disposal, done following prescribed international guidelines, reaffirm India’s commitment to sustainable outer space activities, Isro said.