Chandrayaan-2 launch planned by first quarter of 2018

India's second lunar foray is a 100% indigenous mission consisting of an orbiter, lander and rover

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch Chandrayaan-2 during the first quarter of 2018, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Jitendra Singh said.

Said added that Chandrayaan-2, India's second mission to the Moon, is a totally indigenous initiative consisting of an orbiter, lander and rover.

The Minister explained that after reaching the 100-km lunar orbit, the lander housing the rover will separate from the orbiter. After a controlled descent, the lander will soft land on the lunar surface at a specified site and deploy the rover.

The six-wheeled rover will move around the landing site in semi-autonomous mode as decided