Moon's Gravity Unexpectedly Boosts Chandrayaan-3 Module's Orbit

• Chandrayaan-3's propulsion module received an unexpected orbital boost from the Moon's gravity in November 2025.
• Astronomer Jonathan McDowell reported the module's orbit significantly changed from 125000 x 305000 km to 365000 x 983000 km.
• The module was initially sent to an Earth-bound orbit after completing its lunar mission, with over 100 kg of propellant remaining.
• Two close flybys with the Moon on November 6 (3,740 km) and November 11 (4,537 km) altered its trajectory.
• ISRO's tracking networks, IDSN and ISTRAC, attentively observed these unforeseen but scientifically significant encounters.

Why It Matters: Moon's gravity unexpectedly altered Chandrayaan-3's propulsion module's orbit, expanding its trajectory.