'Chandrayaan 2' to be launched on January 3, says Isro chief K Sivan

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will launch its second moon mission ‘Chandrayaan-2’ carrying an orbiter on January 3 next year. It will be launched by GSLV-MK-III.

Isro chairman K Sivan said: “We will have a series of launches 18 missions in the next six months — including GSLV-MkIII-D2/GSAT-29 Mission in December 2018. Chandrayaan-2 will carry an orbiter and a rover. It will be the first mission in the world going near the South Pole.”

'We have a window of opportunity to launch the Chandrayaan-2 mission between January 3 and February 16. But, Isro prefer January 3 for the mission', said Sivan.

Chandrayaan-2 mission will be launched by GSLV-MK-III, instead of GSLV-MK-II as planned earlier, Isro chairman said.

Chandrayaan-1 was launched in October 2008 and operated until August 2009. The mission included a lunar orbiter and an impactor.