Chandrayaan-2 Spacecraft Expected to Reach Moon by 20 August
Catch all the live updates on the Chandrayaan-2 launch here.
ISRO released the schedule for Chandrayaan-2, stating that the spacecraft’s manoeuvres are expected to be executed from Wednesday, 24 July. It added that the spacecraft will likely reach the moon by 20 August this year.
Earlier, on Monday, 22 July, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched India’s second moon mission, Chandrayaan-2 from the Satish Dhawan Space Station in Sriharikota. The mission, onboard the GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle, was successfully injected into the Earth’s orbit soon after the launch.
People from across India and the world, from different fields - from PM Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Virat Kohli, even NASA, the premier space agency of the United Sates congratulated ISRO for the historic feat.
Chandrayaan-2 was launched at 2:43 pm from the second launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, a week after the initial lift-off was aborted due to a technical snag.
ISRO plans to land the Vikram lander on the moon by the 48th day of the mission.
- India’s 2nd Moon mission, Chandrayaan-2 was successfully launched from Satish Dhawan Space Station in Sriharikota
- The mission was injected into the Earth orbit, about an hour after the launch
- The mission was aborted on 15 July due to a “technical snag” in the GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle
- Chandrayaan-2 will attempt a soft landing of the Vikram lander on the south pole of the moon
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)
ISRO Completes Launch Rehearsal of Chandrayaan 2
The ISRO on Saturday, 20 July, it has completed the launch rehearsal of GSLV Mark III-M1, the launch vehicle of Chandrayaan-2, and its performance is normal.
After aborting the second Indian mission to Moon on 15 July, an hour before the take off, ISRO has said it would go ahead with the mission on 22 July.
The launch of Chandrayaan 2, aimed at landing a rover on the unexplored Lunar South Pole, was aborted early on 15 July due to a "technical snag" in the rocket.
The snag had occurred when the liquid propellant was being loaded into the rocket's indigenous cryogenic upper-stage engine.
Veteran scientists had heaped praise on ISRO for calling off the launch rather than risking a major disaster.
Why Was Chadrayaan-2 Delayed? Pressure Drop in Tank, Says ISRO
After India’s second moon mission, Chandrayaan-2, was called off on 15 July, with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) claiming that it would now be launched on 22 July, it’s been revealed that the ‘technical snag’ that caused the delay was due to a pressure drop in one of the helium tanks.
According to a report in the Indian Express, an ISRO scientist associated with the mission said:
All You Need to Know About Chandrayaan 2 Mission
- What is Chandrayaan-2 moon mission?
Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second lunar mission, which is headed to the moon's south polar region.
- What time will the Chandrayaan-2 mission launch ?
The Chandrayaan-2 mission will launch at 2:43 pm on 22 July.
- Where will the Chandrayaan-2 Mission launch from?
Chandrayaan-2 will be launching from Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
- How is Chandrayaan-1 different from Chandrayaan-2 ?
Chandrayaan-2 will be attempting to soft land the Vikram module on the surface of the moon. Pragyaan, a six-wheeled Rover, will be deployed for carrying out several experiments.
Chandrayaan-1’s lift-off mass was 1,380 kg, whereas the weight of Chandrayaan-2 is 3,850 kg.
Chandrayaan-2 Countdown to Start at 6:43 PM Today: ISRO Chairman
The countdown for Monday's Chandrayaan-2 mission launch will start at 6:43 pm on Sunday, 21 July, ISRO chairman K Sivan has said. The rocket and spacecraft's systems will undergo checks and fuelling during the countdown.
Filling of Liquid Core Stage of Launch Vehicle Complete
The filling of the liquid core stage - L110 if the GSLV Mk-III was completed at abput 10 pm on Sunday, 21 July at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
People Gather to Witness Chandrayaan-2 Launch
People have gathered to witness the launch of Chandrayaan-2 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, scheduled to take place at 2:43 pm.
Filing of Liquid Hydrogen for Cryogenic Stage Commences
Filling of Liquid Hydrogen in Cryogenic Stage of GSLV Mk-III Completed
ISRO Launches India's Second Moon Mission, Chandrayaan-2
ISRO has launched India’s second moon mission, Chandrayaan-2. The Vikram lander will land on the moon on the 48th day of the mission.
ISRO Bounced Back With Flying Colours: Chief K Sivan
Addressing the media after the launch, ISRO Chief K Sivan said, “I'm extremely happy to announce that the GSLVMkIII-M1 successfully injected Chandrayaan 2 spacecraft into Earth Orbit. It is the beginning of a historic journey of India towards moon and to land at a place near South Pole to carry out scientific experiments.”
He said that after the technical snag that happened before and was fixed, ISRO has “bounced back with flying colours”.
Sivan also congratulated the satellite team for the launch, saying, "Last one-and-a-half years, the satellite team burnt the midnight oil.”
Launch of Chandrayaan 2 Illustrates Prowess of Scientists: PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi, who watched the launch of Chandrayaan 2, tweeted about the moment, saying that the launch illustrates the prowess of India’s scientists.
Congress Congratulates ISRO on Launch, Remembers Nehru and Manmohan Singh's Roles
The Congress’ Twitter handle also congratulated the team at ISRO for the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2, but also said that this is a good time to remember the “visionary move of India's first PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to fund space research through INCOSPAR in 1962 which later became ISRO."
It also remembered Dr Manmohan Singh for sanctioning the Chandrayan 2 project in 2008.
Team ISRO Scripts New Chapter in India's Space History: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated ISRO scientists for the “flawless launching”, adding that the team had “scripted a new chapter in India’s space history with the launch.”
President Kovind Congratulates ISRO for Launch
The President took to Twitter to congratulate ISRO for the launch, saying, “Chandrayaan 2 will be the first spacecraft to land close to the moon’s South Pole in some 50 days from now.”
Amit Shah Congratulates ISRO, Thanks PM Modi
Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the scientists at ISRO for the launch and also thanked PM Modi for “encouraging our institutions for setting new standards everytime.”
What's Next for Chandrayaan-2?
Billed as the most complex and prestigious mission undertaken by ISRO since its inception, Chandrayaan-2 will make India the fourth country to soft land a rover on the lunar surface after Russia, the United States and China.
About 16.20 minutes after the lift-off, the GSLV rocket placed Chandrayaan-2 into 170 km x 39059 kms Earth orbit. From there onwards, the mission will undergo a series of manoeuvres by scientists to carry out different phases of the mission over the next 48 days.
At the end of the Earth-bound phase, the orbit of the spacecraft will be finally raised to over 1.05 lakh km before nudging it into the Lunar Transfer Trajectory taking it to the proximity of Moon in the next two days.
Then, gradually over the next few days, it will be brought to 100x100 km circular orbit when the lander will separate. After another few days of orbiting, it will make a soft landing at a chosen place on the Lunar surface.
Soft Landing of Vikram Lander Will Be "15 Minutes of Terror"
The soft landing of the lander, Vikram, carrying rover, Pragyan, one of the toughest phases of the mission and described by the ISRO chief as "15 minutes of terror” (-filled moments), will be attempted between 6-8 September.
The lander, Vikram, named after father of the Indian space research programme Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, will be landed in a high plain between two craters at a latitude of about 70 degrees south of the moon.
"Chandrayaan-2 is the next leap in technology as we attempt to soft land close to South Pole of Moon. The soft landing is extremely complex and we will experience approximately 15 minutes of terror," Sivan had said.
The mission, which carries a total of 13 payloads, including three from Europe, two from the US and one Bulgaria, seeks to improve the understanding of the moon which can lead to discoveries which will benefit India and humanity as a whole.
Cricketer Virat Kohli Congratulates ISRO for Chandrayaan-2 Launch
PM Modi Speaks to ISRO Chief K Sivan, Congratulates Him
PM Modi on Monday spoke with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Sivan and congratulated him and the team involved in the mission, saying the launch is a matter of pride for all Indians.
"Last week, the launch had to be postponed due to technical reasons. You found the technical glitch with alacrity and took steps to solve it. And now, within a week you achieved success in the launch. You deserve a special congratulations for this," Modi said.
It is an excellent example of the talent, capability and the self-confidence of the scientists to take on any challenge, he added..
"The bigger the challenge, the intention gets equally big. I am told despite a delay of a week, the date of Chandrayaan-2 reaching the moon will remain the same," Modi said.
The prime minister pointed out that the mission team not only overcame the challenges of the previous launch, but also decided to reach the moon in a shorter period of time.
RSS Congratulates ISRO Scientists over Chandrayaan-2 Launch
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Monday congratulated ISRO scientists for the successful launch of the space agency's second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2.
"All the countrymen are feeling proud on the successful launchof Chandrayaan-2 by our scientists," said RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi on the official Twitter handle of the organisation.
"Heartiest Congratulations to all the ISRO scientists," Joshi tweeted.
Parliament Congratulates Scientists on Chandrayaan-2 Launch
Parliament on Monday congratulated ISRO scientists for the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2, saying the achievement represents a golden chapter in the country's history.
Informing members about the launch, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the country has shown its space prowess with the mission.
"This House congratulates the scientists of ISRO for their efforts... I congratulate the Indian scientists and the efforts of the Prime Minister," he said in Lok Sabha.
In Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said the scientists deserve special compliments for the indigenous effort.
"This is the most powerful Indian rocket to date. The Vehicle as well as Chandrayaan-2 are fully designed and fabricated in India. Therefore, our scientists deserve special compliments," he said, amid thumping of benches by members.
"This development represents a golden chapter in the history of not only the development of science and technology in India but also of the country itself," the Naidu further said.
NASA Congratulates ISRO on Successful Chandrayaan-2 Launch
NASA on Monday congratulated its Indian counterpart ISRO on the successful launch of its second moon mission Chandrayaan-2 and said it was looking forward to know what the Indian space agency learns about the lunar south pole.
"Congrats to ISRO on the launch of Chandrayaan 2, a mission to study the Moon. We're proud to support your mission comms using our Deep Space Network and look forward to what you learn about the lunar South pole where we will send astronauts on our #Artemis mission in a few years," NASA tweeted.
World Media Hails India's Great Leap Forward
The launch of Chandrayaan-2 comes at the heels of the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11, when man first landed on the moon, The Washington Post commented.
India has also announced its intention of sending a manned space mission by 2022, the leading American newspaper recalled.
Quoting experts, the Post said the successful second attempt so soon after the aborted launch highlights ISRO's confidence in its technological capabilities, which have not been hamstrung by its paltry USD 1.8 billion budget. In comparison, NASA received USD 21.5 billion in funds this year, the Post noted.
"If the rest of the mission goes as well, India will become the fourth nation — after the United States, Russia and China — to land on the moon, more than 200,000 miles away. Its target is a region near the mysterious south pole, where no other missions have explored," The New York Times commented.
"This would be a huge leap forward for India's ambitious space programme, and scientists and defence experts everywhere are watching to see whether the country can pull it off," it said.
Leading British newspaper, The Guardian reported that Chandrayaan-2 aims to become the first mission to conduct a surface landing on the lunar south pole region, where it will collect crucial information about the moon's composition.
It would be India's first surface landing on the moon – a feat previously achieved by only Russia, the US and China, the paper noted.