Image Courtesy : ISRO
Chandrayaan - 2 launch scheduled on 15th July, 2019 at 2:51hrs was called off due to a technical snag noticed at around one hour before launch. The launch was rescheduled on July 22, 2019 at 14:43 hrs IST from Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota on-board GSLV Mk-III. It was successfully injected into an earth parking 170 x 39120 km orbit. The mission status is normal and performing very well more than expectation. It is a proud moment of all of Indians.
A series of maneuvers will be carried out to raise its orbit and put Chandrayaan-2 on Lunar Transfer Trajectory. On entering Moon's sphere of influence, on-board thrusters will slow down the spacecraft for Lunar Capture. The Orbit of Chandrayaan-2 around the moon will be circularized to 100x100 km orbit through a series of orbital maneuvers. On the day of landing, the lander will separate from the Orbiter and then perform a series of complex maneuvers comprising of rough braking and fine braking. Imaging of the landing site region prior to landing will be done for finding safe and hazard-free zones. The lander-Vikram will finally land near South Pole of the moon on Sep 7, 2019. Subsequently, Rover will roll out and carry out experiments on Lunar surface for a period of 1 Lunar day which is equal to 14 Earth days. Orbiter will continue its mission for a duration of one year.
Inching towards the edge of discovery
Are you ready for the unknown?
Chandrayaan 2 is an Indian lunar mission that will boldly go where no country has ever gone before — the Moon's south polar region. Through this effort, the aim is to improve our understanding of the Moon — discoveries that will benefit India and humanity as a whole. These insights and experiences aim at a paradigm shift in how lunar expeditions are approached for years to come — propelling further voyages into the farthest frontiers.
Why are we going to the Moon?
The Moon is the closest cosmic body at which space discovery can be attempted and documented. It is also a promising test bed to demonstrate technologies required for deep-space missions. Chandrayaan 2 attempts to foster a new age of discovery, increase our understanding of space, stimulate the advancement of technology, promote global alliances, and inspire a future generation of explorers and scientists.
What are the scientific objectives of Chandrayaan 2? Why explore the Lunar South Pole?
Moon provides the best linkage to Earth’s early history. It offers an undisturbed historical record of the inner Solar system environment. Though there are a few mature models, the origin of Moon still needs further explanations. Extensive mapping of lunar surface to study variations in lunar surface composition is essential to trace back the origin and evolution of the Moon. Evidence for water molecules discovered by Chandrayaan-1, requires further studies on the extent of water molecule distribution on the surface, below the surface and in the tenuous lunar exosphere to address the origin of water on Moon.
The lunar South Pole is especially interesting because of the lunar surface area here that remains in shadow is much larger than that at the North Pole. There is a possibility of the presence of water in permanently shadowed areas around it. In addition, South Pole region has craters that are cold traps and contain a fossil record of the early Solar System.
Chandrayaan-2 will attempt to soft land the lander -Vikram and rover- Pragyan in a high plain between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at a latitude of about 70° south.
Mission Stats
1st space mission to conduct a soft landing on the Moon's south polar region
1st Indian expedition to attempt a soft landing on the lunar surface with home-grown technology
1st Indian mission to explore the lunar terrain with home-grown technology
4th country ever to soft land on the lunar surface
Launcher and the Spacecraft
The GSLV Mk-III is India's most powerful launcher to date, and has been completely designed and fabricated from within the country.
Orbiter
The Orbiter will observe the lunar surface and relay communication between Earth and Chandrayaan 2's Lander — Vikram.
Vikram Lander
The lander is designed to execute India's first soft landing on the lunar surface.
Pragyan Rover
The rover is a 6-wheeled, AI-powered vehicle named Pragyan, which translates to 'wisdom'Â in Sanskrit.
Timeline of the mission
18th September, 2008
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approves the Chandrayaan2 lunar mission
Mission Planning
Launch Date
July 22, 2019
Landing on Moon
Sep 7, 2019
Scientific Experiment on Moon
1 Lunar day (14 earth days)
Orbital Experiment
Will be operational for 1 year
Image Source: ISRO
Video Source: ISRO
Data Soucre: ISRO
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