ISRO launched its second Moon landing mission Chandrayaan-2
After aborting the mission on July 15, the Indian Space research organization (ISRO) has launched its second Moon landing mission Chandrayaan-2 on 22 July 2019. The take-off started at 2:43 pm IST and streamed live all over the world. Last week, the mission was called off an hour before the take-off due to lack of pressure in the helium tanks of the rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle –Mark III.
On 22 July 2019 at 2:43 pm IST, the new ISRO Chandrayaan-2 was launched in Shriharikota using GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Chandrayaan-2 consists of Orbiter and Pragyan Rover. The Orbiter will be used for observation of the lunar surface and send communication between Chanrayaan-2’s Lander – Vikram and Earth. Whereas, Pragyan is a 6-wheeled AI-powered that can travel up to 500 m and leverages solar energy for its functioning. The unique characteristic of Pragyan that translates to “wisdom” in Sanskrit can only communicate with the lander.
GSLV Mk-III is India’s most powerful launcher to date and is capable of carrying 4-ton class of satellites to the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
Chandrayaan-2 live streaming on Facebook and Twitter
For those didn’t manage to register themselves to watch live from the viewer’s gallery of SDSC Centre in Sriharikota, the launch of Chandrayaan-2 was streamed live on its Facebook and Twitter page. However, those who didn’t have the privilege of the internet can catch up the same on the Doordarshan channel on TV. The viewers have seen the visuals from inside of ISRO’s control centre room along with live commentary.
According to ISRO Chandrayaan-2 will attempt to soft land the lander and rover in a high plain between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at latitude of about 70 degrees south.
ISRO noted, “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.”
ISRO also noted, “The lunar South Pole is especially interesting because of the lunar surface area here that remains in shadow are 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.”
India will be the forth country to soft land on the lunar surface
With the successful launch of this mission, India will be the forth country to soft land on the lunar surface. India’s Chandrayaan-2 is the first mission ever to conduct a soft landing on the moon’s South Polar Region. Out of the firsts, it is also the first Indian expedition to attempt to a soft landing on lunar surface and also first mission to explore the lunar terrain with home grown technology.
