The Indian spacecraft Chandrayaan-2 (CH2O), which is in lunar orbit, performed an evasion maneuver that allowed avoiding a rendezvous with the American Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) probe, reports Indian Space Research Organization.
A possible impact of two spacecraft could occur over the North Pole of the Earth's natural satellite on October 20 at 05:45 GMT. According to calculations carried out by Indian experts, CH2O and LRO could approach at a distance of about three kilometers.
The maneuver of the Indian spacecraft, which made it possible to avoid a possible collision with the American one, was performed on October 18 at 14:52 GMT.
The Chandrayaan-2 mission consists of an orbiter and a lander. Launched in July 2019. In August of the same year, she entered the lunar orbit. In September 2019, the lander with the rover separated from the orbiter and made a hard landing on the surface of the Moon. The orbiter is still in operation.
Ivan Potapov