Chandrayaan-2 is now three steps closer to the Moon as the third earthbound orbit raising manoeuver of the spacecraft, launched on July 22 by GSLV-MkIII-M1, was performed successfully on Monday afternoon.

ISRO tweeted "Today after performing the third orbit raising manoeuver, we are now 3 steps closer to the moon," ISRO in an update said. "The third earth-bound orbit raising manoeuver for Chandryaan-2 spacecraft has been performed successfully today at 1512 hrs as planned, using the onboard propulsion system for a firing duration of 989 seconds.'' The orbit achieved is 276 x 71792 km, it said.

All spacecraft parameters are normal. The fourth orbit-raising manoeuvre is scheduled on August 2 between 1400 hrs to 1500 hrs.