TransLunar Injection (TLI) : ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently performed the TransLunar Injection (TLI) to slingshot Chandrayaan-3 towards the moon.
- TransLunar Injection (TLI) is a critical manoeuvre performed during space missions to send spacecraft from Earth’s orbit to a trajectory that will take them to the Moon.
- It is a key step in lunar missions, enabling spacecraft to escape Earth’s gravitational pull and travel to the Moon.
- The TLI is performed when the spacecraft is at a specific point in its orbit known as the ‘perigee’ or the closest point to Earth.
- During a TLI, the spacecraft’s propulsion system fires its engines to accelerate the spacecraft.
- The spacecraft gains enough speed to break free from Earth’s gravitational pull and embark on its journey toward the moon.
- The amount of thrust and duration of the TLI burn depends on various factors, including the spacecraft’s mass, its velocity in Earth’s orbit, and the specific mission objectives.
- Once the TLI is successfully completed, the spacecraft is put on a lunar trajectory, and it will continue its journey to the Moon without further propulsion from Earth.
- After the TLI, the spacecraft typically enters a transfer orbit, which is an elliptical path that intersects with the Moon’s orbit.
