WHAT IS CHANDRAYAAN-2
Chandrayaan-2
Chandrayaan-2 is an Indian lunar mission to explore the unchartered south pole of the celestial body by landing a rover.
On September 7, India attempted to make a soft landing on to the lunar surface.
However, lander Vikram missed the primary landing site and went for the second. The visuals went missing henceforth.
According to Isro chief K Sivan, communication from Vikram lander was lost and data is still being analysed.
If India does succeed, it will be the fourth country to land on the moon, after the erstwhile USSR, US and China, to cement its place among the world's space-faring nations.
India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV MkIII-M1 had successfully launched the 3,840-kg Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft into the earth's orbit on July 22.
Chandrayaan-2 satellite had begun its journey towards the moon leaving the earth's orbit in the dark hours on August 14, after a crucial maneuver called Trans Lunar Insertion (TLI) that was carried out by Isro to place the spacecraft on "Lunar Transfer Trajectory".
In a major milestone for India's second Moon mission, the Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft had successfully entered the lunar orbit on August 20 by performing Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) maneuver. On August 22, Isro released the first image of the moon captured by Chandrayaan-2. On September 2, 'Vikram' successfully separated from the orbiter, following which two de-orbiting manoeuvres were performed to bring the lander closer to the Moon.
'Vikram' and 'Pragyan'
As India attempted a soft landing on the lunar surface on September 7, all eyes were on the lander 'Vikram' and rover 'Pragyan'.
The 1,471-kg 'Vikram', named after Vikram Sarabhai, father of the Indian space programme, was designed to execute a soft landing on the lunar surface, and to function for one lunar day, which is equivalent to about 14 earth days.
Chandrayaan-2's 27-kg robotic vehicle 'Pragyan', which translates to 'wisdom' in Sanskrit, can travel up to 500 metres from the landing spot on the moon and leverages solar energy for its functioning.
If successful, Pragyaan will roll out from inside the lander to carry out an intense probe of the moon soil with its two payloads.
Chandrayaan, which means “moon vehicle” in Sanskrit, exemplifies the resurgence of international interest in space. The US, China and private corporations are among those racing to explore everything from resource mining to extraterrestrial colonies on the moon and even Mars.
Isro's future plans
Isro’s next priority is the $1.4 billion Gaganyaan mission, which aims to put three Indian “gaganauts” — at least one of which will be a woman — into orbit.
ABOUT CHANDRAYAAN-2
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Hopes fading on re-establishing link with lander Vikram: ISRO scientists
Chandrayaan-2's 27-kg rover is a six-wheeled robotic vehicle named Pragyan, which translates to 'wisdom' in Sanskrit, and is ...| September 08, 2019, Sunday -
ISRO says Chandrayaan 2 lander Vikram located, attempting contact
Vikram, the lander, was lost when it was attempting a "soft" or controlled landing near the south pole of the moon| September 08, 2019, Sunday -
Solace for Isro as NASA says it's inspired by Indian space agency's efforts
We should not be discouraged. India was trying to do something very very difficult, said NASA| September 08, 2019, Sunday -
Chandrayaan-2 mission very close to 100% success, says Isro chief K Sivan
PM Modi leads the nation in rallying behind Isro after failed moon landing| September 08, 2019, Sunday -
A temporary setback
There will be a lot to learn from Chandrayaan-2 Mission| September 07, 2019, Saturday -
Almost 95% of Chandrayaan-2 mission objectives have been accomplished: ISRO
The space agency also said the precise launch and mission management had ensured a long life of almost seven years instead of the ...| September 07, 2019, Saturday -
Chandrayaan 2: Partial success, ISRO should be proud of what it's achieved
It's important to note that the odds were against anybody pulling off a soft landing at the first attempt| September 07, 2019, Saturday -
Chandrayaan-2 landing attempt to help future mission: Former NASA astronaut
An astronaut narrator and space analyst, Jerry Linenger said overall the mission has been very successful| September 07, 2019, Saturday -
95% objective of Chandrayaan 2 achieved: Former ISRO Chief G Madhavan Nair
The orbiter payloads will conduct remote-sensing observations from a 100 km orbit| September 07, 2019, Saturday -
Chandrayaan-2 launch was deferred as ISRO lost contact with GSAT 6A in 2018
The GSAT 6A setback had prompted ISRO to recall the launch of GSAT-11 from Kourou in French Guiana for additional technical| September 07, 2019, Saturday
