Chennai, Sep 9 (TIWN) Reducing the orbit of Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter to pick up any weak signals or to take a closer look the moon lander Vikram that had crash-landed on the lunar surface is a dangerous move, contend space scientists.

According to sources, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is looking at reducing Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter’s orbit from 100 km to 50 km above the lunar surface.

“Reducing the orbit of the Orbiter is a dangerous idea,” a former space agency official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IANS.

“What is ISRO going to gain by this move is not known. Even if the Orbiter is able to pick up weak signals, in all probability, it will not be able to revive Vikram.

“At or above 100 km altitude, the Orbiter is safe. But if it is brought down to 50 km, then it has to be maintained there which requires firing of the on-board engines. If that is not done, the Orbiter will slowly go down,” he added.

Firing of Orbiter’s on-board engines will expend fuel and thereby reducing its life, he said.

“To bring down the Orbiter, ISRO has to fire its motors. Then to maintain that at 50 km height, fuel has to be expended. If ISRO decides to take it up to 100 km altitude, then further fuel has to be expended,” the expert remarked.