NASA has lauded India’s historic Chandrayaan-2 mission, stating that the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) attempt to soft-land Vikram module on the lunar South Pole has “inspired” it and the United State space agency is looking forward to explore the solar system with its Indian counterpart.
The ISRO’s plan to soft-land Chandrayaan-2’s ‘Vikram module’ on the uncharted South Pole did not go as per script on Sep 7, with the lander losing communication with ground stations during its final descent.
On Sep 07, As per the Indian Space Agency Chief ‘K Sivan’, Contact or communication with Chandrayaan-2’s lander has been lost. The ‘lander Vikram’ was descending on to the lunar surface as planned and that until 2.1 kilometres above the lunar surface, its performance was normal. But them, “lander to ground station was lost,”. Data is being analysed.. ISRO’s Chief mentioned in a press statement..
Moreover, Several scientists has been also remarked that, It was possible that the communications got snapped as the lander crash-landed, after losing control when its thrusters were switched off during its descent, another mentioned that all is not lost as far as the mission is concerned. However, “Only 5% of the mission has been lost – Vikram the lander and Pragyan the rover – while the remaining 95% – that is the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter – is orbiting the moon successfully,”.
After ISRO lost communication with Vikram lander, Prime Minister Narendra Modi argued that, “India is proud of our scientists! They’ve given their best and have always made India proud. These are moments to be courageous, and courageous we will be! Chairman ISRO gave updates on Chandrayaan-2.. We remain hopeful and will continue working hard on our space programme”. I congratulate you. You all have done a big service to nation, science and mankind. I am with you all the way, move forward bravely.
President Ram Nath Kovind, in a tweet, also praised the “exemplary courage and commitment” of ISRO and remarked that the country was proud of it. While other leaders also praised the ISRO and urged its scientists not to lose heart. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that, ISRO’s attempts in getting the Chandrayaan-2 close to the moon’s surface has made every Indian proud. “India stands with our committed and hard working scientists at ISRO. “My best wishes for future endeavours,”.. Thus, Entire nations are with our ISRO’s scientists.
We should know about ‘Orbiter’, ‘Vikram Lander’, and Pragyaan
“Orbiter” will observe the lunar surface and relay communication between Earth and Chandrayaan 2’s Lander – Vikram. During the time of launch, the Orbiter will be capable of communicating with Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) at Byalalu as well as the Vikram Lander. Further, The mission life of the Orbiter is one year and it will be placed in a 100X100 km lunar polar orbit. The orbiter will orbit the Moon at an altitude of 100 km (62 mi (Weight: 2,379 kg and Electric Power Generation Capability: 1,000 W).
Following the ISRO, The “Vikram Lander” is designed to execute India’s first soft landing on the lunar surface. The Lander of Chandrayaan 2 is named Vikram after Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, It is also known as the Father of the Indian Space Programme. It has the capability to communicate with IDSN at Byalalu near Bangalore, as well as with the Orbiter and Rover. While it contains, Weight: 1,471 kg and Electric Power Generation Capability: 650 W..
In a short video, Isro explained about “Pragyaan”. The cubical vehicle, exclusively designed for travelling on the Moon, is fitted with a solar panel. The rover is a 6-wheeled, AI-powered vehicle named Pragyan, which translates to ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit. Chandrayaan 2’s Rover is a 6-wheeled robotic vehicle named Pragyan, which translates to ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit. It can travel up to 500 m (½-a-km) and leverages solar energy for its functioning. It can only communicate with the Lander..
As per the NASA, “Space is hard. We commend ISRO’s attempt to land their Chandrayaan2 mission on the Moon”s South Pole. You have inspired us with your journey and look forward to future opportunities to explore our solar system together,” NASA mentioned in a tweet on Sep 7.
Meanwhile, On Sep 07, Former NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger remarked that, The lessons learnt from India’s “bold attempt” to soft land Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram module on the lunar surface will help the country during its follow up missions. Further, He assumed that, “We should not be too discouraged. However, The country was trying to do something very, very difficult. In fact, everything was going as planned as the lander came down,”.
The spacecraft began its journey towards the moon, leaving the earth’s orbit on August 14 after a crucial manoeuvre called Trans Lunar Insertion or TLI that was carried out by ISRO to place the spacecraft on “lunar transfer trajectory”. According to NASA’s recent release, only half of the lunar missions involving landing on moon surface have succeeded in the last six decades.
There have been a total of 109 lunar missions from 1958, out of which 61 were successful, says the United State (US) space agency’s ”Moon Fact Sheet”. As many as 46 missions involved landing on the lunar surface, including landing of the rover and sample return. Out of these, 21 were successful, while two were partially successful.
Sample return means mission that involves collecting and returning samples to earth. The first successful sample return mission was Apollo 12 of the US launched in November 1969. From 1958 to 1979, only the US and the USSR (now Russia) launched Moon missions. In these 21 years, the two countries launched 90 missions. There was a lull in the decade that followed with no lunar missions from 1980-89, PTI news agency reported.
For many instance; Japan, the European Union, China, India and Israel have been late entrants.. The first lunar soft landing and first pictures from the lunar surface came from Luna 9, launched by the USSR in January 1966. The Apollo 11 mission was the landmark mission through which humans first stepped on the lunar surface. The three-crew mission was headed by Neil Armstrong.
From 2009-2019, ten missions have been launched of which five have been sent by China, three by the US, and one each by India and Israel. The Chandrayaan-2 mission was launched on July 22 by a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III).
Despite the same, Chandrayaan 2 mission was a highly complex mission, which represented a significant technological leap compared to the previous missions of ISRO to explore the unexplored south pole of the Moon, Indian Space Agency remarked.
(With the inputs of PTI).
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