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"ISRO's Chandrayaan-2 Mission: India's Second Lunar Exploration Mission"

Chandrayaan-2 Mission

By Mohamed AzharudeenPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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Chandrayaan-2

In July 2019, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its second lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-2. The ambitious mission aimed to land a rover on the moon's surface and explore its uncharted south pole region. This was a major milestone for India's space program, as it was the first time an Indian spacecraft would attempt a soft landing on the moon.

The Chandrayaan-2 mission was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, using the powerful GSLV Mk III rocket. The spacecraft consisted of an orbiter, lander, and rover, with the lander and rover designed to detach from the orbiter and land on the moon's surface.

The orbiter had a lifespan of one year and was equipped with eight scientific payloads to study the moon's surface and atmosphere. The lander, named Vikram, carried three scientific payloads and was designed to make a soft landing on the moon's surface near the south pole. The rover, named Pragyan, had two scientific payloads and was designed to operate on the moon's surface for a minimum of 14 days.

MISSION MOON

The mission encountered several challenges during its journey to the moon. The first challenge occurred during the spacecraft's initial orbit-raising manoeuvres when a malfunction in one of the engines caused the spacecraft to drift off course. However, ISRO quickly rectified the issue, and the mission continued as planned.

The second challenge occurred during the descent of the lander, when contact with the spacecraft was lost moments before it was scheduled to touch down on the moon's surface. Despite extensive efforts to re-establish contact with the lander, the mission was declared unsuccessful.

Despite the setback, the Chandrayaan-2 mission was a significant achievement for ISRO. It demonstrated India's technological capabilities in space exploration and highlighted the country's commitment to advancing scientific research and exploration.

One of the main objectives of the Chandrayaan-2 mission was to explore the uncharted south pole region of the moon. This region is of particular interest to scientists as it is believed to contain water ice, which could be a valuable resource for future human missions to the moon. The mission's scientific payloads were designed to study the moon's surface, mineralogy, and geology, providing valuable insights into the moon's origins and evolution.

The mission also aimed to demonstrate India's capabilities in space exploration, showcasing the country's advanced technological capabilities and scientific expertise. The successful launch and operation of the mission demonstrated India's ability to undertake complex space missions and established the country as a major player in the global space race.

The Chandrayaan-2 mission also had important geopolitical implications. India's space program has been viewed as a symbol of the country's technological progress and national pride, and the success of the mission was a source of national pride for many Indians. The mission also highlighted India's emergence as a major space power and a key player in the global space industry.

Chandrayaan-2 Mission

Despite the setback with the lander, the Chandrayaan-2 mission provided valuable lessons for India's space program. The mission demonstrated the need for robust communication systems and the importance of comprehensive testing and preparation before undertaking complex space missions.

The Chandrayaan-2 mission also paved the way for future lunar exploration missions. In September 2020, ISRO announced plans for a third lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-3, which aims to land on the moon's south pole and carry out scientific experiments. The mission is expected to launch in 2022.

In conclusion, the Chandrayaan-2 mission was a significant achievement for ISRO and India's space program. Despite encountering several challenges, the mission demonstrated India's technological capabilities and scientific expertise and established the country as a major player in the global space race

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About the Creator

Mohamed Azharudeen

As a writer, I weave words into stories, crafting worlds to captivate readers and evoke emotions that linger long after the last page.

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