<p>The Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation K Sivan on Monday inaugurated a Lunar Science Workshop 2021&nbsp;to commemorate the completion of two years of operation of Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft around the lunar orbit.</p>

<p>Chandrayaan-2 data product and science documents were released by Sivan who is also the secretary in the Department of Space (DoS), along with data from Chandrayaan-2 orbiter payloads, Bengaluru-headquartered ISRO said in a statement.</p>

<p>The eight payloads onboard Chandrayaan-2 are conducting scientific observations of the Moon by remote sensing, it said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-2-indias-orbiter-validates-earlier-finding-of-water-on-the-lunar-surface-406078">Also Read:&nbsp;Chandrayaan-2-&nbsp;India’s orbiter validates earlier finding of water on the lunar surface</a></p>

<p>"The science data are being made available for analysis by academia and institutes, for a greater participation to bring out more science from Chandrayaan-2 mission," ISRO said.</p>

<p>The two-day workshop, organised by ISRO, is being livestreamed on the space agency's website and Facebook page for effectively reaching the students, academia and institutes and to engage the scientific community to analyse Chandrayaan-2 data.</p>

<p>The science results from the eight payloads are being presented by the scientists in the workshop being held virtually.</p>

<p>In addition, there will be lectures on the Chandrayaan-2 mission, tracking, operations, and data archival aspects.</p>

<p>Along with the scientists from ISRO/DoS, there will also be lectures on lunar science to be delivered by scientists from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, it was stated.</p>


The Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation K Sivan on Monday inaugurated a Lunar Science Workshop 2021 to commemorate the completion of two years of operation of Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft around the lunar orbit.

The Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation K Sivan on Monday inaugurated a Lunar Science Workshop 2021 to commemorate the completion of two years of operation of Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft around the lunar orbit. Chandrayaan-2 data product and science documents were released by Sivan who is also the secretary in the Department of Space (DoS), along with data from Chandrayaan-2 orbiter payloads, Bengaluru-headquartered ISRO said in a statement. The eight payloads onboard Chandrayaan-2 are conducting scientific observations of the Moon by remote sensing, it said. Also Read: Chandrayaan-2- India’s orbiter validates earlier finding of water on the lunar surface "The science data are being made available for analysis by academia and institutes, for a greater participation to bring out more science from Chandrayaan-2 mission," ISRO said. The two-day workshop, organised by ISRO, is being livestreamed on the space agency's website and Facebook page for effectively reaching the students, academia and institutes and to engage the scientific community to analyse Chandrayaan-2 data. The science results from the eight payloads are being presented by the scientists in the workshop being held virtually. In addition, there will be lectures on the Chandrayaan-2 mission, tracking, operations, and data archival aspects. Along with the scientists from ISRO/DoS, there will also be lectures on lunar science to be delivered by scientists from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, it was stated.

As Chandrayaan-2 completes two years in lunar orbit, ISRO releases data

<p>Chandrayaan-2 Moon mission has accomplished 90 to 95 per cent of its mission objectives even as ground stations <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isros-press-conference-called-off-after-communication-lost-with-vikram-lander-248152">lost communication with the 'Vikram' Lander</a> in the last few minutes of its descent, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/i-understand-im-with-you-pm-modis-top-quotes-from-moving-the-address-to-isro-scientists-on-chandrayaan-2-248208">Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)</a> said on Saturday.</p>

<p>"The success criteria were defined for each and every phase of the mission and till date 90 to 95 per cent of the mission objectives have been accomplished and will continue to contribute to lunar science, notwithstanding the loss of communication with the Lander," an ISRO statement said.</p>

<p>The ground station lost contact with the Vikram Lander minutes before its touchdown on the Moon's South Pole in early on Saturday.</p>

<p>The Lander had followed a planned descent trajectory from its orbit of 35 km to just below 2 km above the surface and all its system and sensors functioned properly until this point.</p>

<p>"It proved many new technologies such as variable thrust propulsion technology used in the Lander," it stated.</p>

<p><strong>In pics: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-farmers-son-to-rocketman-isro-chief-kailasavadivoo-sivans-journey-248191">From farmer's son to 'Rocketman': ISRO chief Kailasavadivoo Sivan's journey</a></strong></p>

<p>Calling Chandrayaan-2 a highly complex mission, the agency said that it represented a significant technological leap compared to the previous missions undertaken by it.</p>

<p>It was aimed at studying the moon's surface, sub-surface and the exosphere.</p>

<p>The Chandrayaan-two's Orbiter, which is already in the intended orbit around the Moon, will send high-resolution images and enrich the understanding of Moon's evolution, mapping of minerals and water in its polar region.</p>

<p><strong>Watch video: ISRO chief K Sivan on Chandrayaan-2 Mission</strong></p>

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<p>Chandrayaan-2 was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 22.</p>

<p>After revolving around the earth's orbit, the spacecraft began its journey to the moon on August 14 and all manoeuvres were carried out to perfection until the last few minutes of descent.</p>


Chandrayaan-2 Moon mission has accomplished 90 to 95 per cent of its mission objectives even as ground stations lost communication with the 'Vikram' Lander in the last few minutes of its descent, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Saturday.

Chandrayaan-2 Moon mission has accomplished 90 to 95 per cent of its mission objectives even as ground stations lost communication with the 'Vikram' Lander in the last few minutes of its descent, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Saturday. "The success criteria were defined for each and every phase of the mission and till date 90 to 95 per cent of the mission objectives have been accomplished and will continue to contribute to lunar science, notwithstanding the loss of communication with the Lander," an ISRO statement said. The ground station lost contact with the Vikram Lander minutes before its touchdown on the Moon's South Pole in early on Saturday. The Lander had followed a planned descent trajectory from its orbit of 35 km to just below 2 km above the surface and all its system and sensors functioned properly until this point. "It proved many new technologies such as variable thrust propulsion technology used in the Lander," it stated. In pics: From farmer's son to 'Rocketman': ISRO chief Kailasavadivoo Sivan's journey Calling Chandrayaan-2 a highly complex mission, the agency said that it represented a significant technological leap compared to the previous missions undertaken by it. It was aimed at studying the moon's surface, sub-surface and the exosphere. The Chandrayaan-two's Orbiter, which is already in the intended orbit around the Moon, will send high-resolution images and enrich the understanding of Moon's evolution, mapping of minerals and water in its polar region. Watch video: ISRO chief K Sivan on Chandrayaan-2 Mission × Chandrayaan-2 was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 22. After revolving around the earth's orbit, the spacecraft began its journey to the moon on August 14 and all manoeuvres were carried out to perfection until the last few minutes of descent.

Chandrayaan-2: 90-95 per cent of mission objectives achieved, says ISRO

<p>After the US embassy in India congratulated <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-moon-mission-chandrayaan-2-successfully-launched-as-india-takes-a-giant-leap-237666">ISRO on Chandrayaan-2 launch</a>, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) lauded India's Moon mission.</p>

<p>"Congrats to @ISRO on the launch of Chandrayaan 2, a mission to study the Moon," NASA said in its tweet.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/isro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ISRO</a> 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 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Artemis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Artemis</a> mission in a few years <a href="https://t.co/dOcWBX3kOE">pic.twitter.com/dOcWBX3kOE</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1153298524383141890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"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," it added.</p>

<p>ISRO launched the rocket with Chandrayaan-2 satellite to find traces of water on the Moon. The launch took place at Satish Dhawan Space Centre at&nbsp;Sriharikota in&nbsp;Andhra Pradesh on Monday afternoon.</p>

<p><strong>Watch Video:</strong></p>

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<p>Earlier, the US embassy in India had applauded ISRO on the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2. "Next stop – the moon!", the US embassy in India tweeted with the hastag<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-2-will-reach-the-moon-one-week-early-pm-modi-in-audio-message-237692"> #CantWaitToSeeWhatYouDoNext #GSLVMkIII</a>.</p>

<p>This was the second attempt by ISRO to launch Chandrayaan-2 after the first attempt had to be called off at the 11th hour on July 15. The spacecraft consists of an orbiter, a lander, Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan.</p>

<p>The Lander (Vikram) will separate from the Orbiter and will then perform a series of complex manoeuvres comprising of rough braking and fine braking. After the launch, PM Modi also hailed the liftoff saying it was a "special moments" which would be "etched in the annals of our glorious history".</p>

<p>In an audio message, PM Modi said India's space satellite will be reaching the Moon one week early. It is due to arrive on the Moon on September 7.</p>

<p>"I have been told that even though the launch date got delayed by 1 week, Chandrayaan-2 will reach the Moon on the same day as determined initially," PM Modi said in his audio message.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


After the US embassy in India congratulated ISRO on Chandrayaan-2 launch, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) lauded India's Moon mission. "Congrats to @ISRO on the launch of Chandrayaan 2, a mission to study the Moon," NASA said in its tweet.

After the US embassy in India congratulated ISRO on Chandrayaan-2 launch, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) lauded India's Moon mission. "Congrats to @ISRO on the launch of Chandrayaan 2, a mission to study the Moon," NASA said in its tweet. 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 pic.twitter.com/dOcWBX3kOE — NASA (@NASA) July 22, 2019 × "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," it added. ISRO launched the rocket with Chandrayaan-2 satellite to find traces of water on the Moon. The launch took place at Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on Monday afternoon. Watch Video: Earlier, the US embassy in India had applauded ISRO on the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2. "Next stop – the moon!", the US embassy in India tweeted with the hastag #CantWaitToSeeWhatYouDoNext #GSLVMkIII. This was the second attempt by ISRO to launch Chandrayaan-2 after the first attempt had to be called off at the 11th hour on July 15. The spacecraft consists of an orbiter, a lander, Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan. The Lander (Vikram) will separate from the Orbiter and will then perform a series of complex manoeuvres comprising of rough braking and fine braking. After the launch, PM Modi also hailed the liftoff saying it was a "special moments" which would be "etched in the annals of our glorious history". In an audio message, PM Modi said India's space satellite will be reaching the Moon one week early. It is due to arrive on the Moon on September 7. "I have been told that even though the launch date got delayed by 1 week, Chandrayaan-2 will reach the Moon on the same day as determined initially," PM Modi said in his audio message.

Look forward to learn from you about Lunar south pole where we will send our astronauts in Artemis mission: NASA to ISRO

Why Chandrayaan-2 launch was called off?

<p>India will step up the international space race on Monday when it launches a low-cost mission to become only the fourth country to land a probe on the moon.</p>

<p>Just five days before the 50th anniversary of man's first lunar landing, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/foreign-media-reacts-to-chandrayaan-2-says-space-program-gained-new-prominence-under-pm-narendra-modi-235731">Chandrayaan-2</a> - or Moon Chariot 2 - will blast off from a tropical island off Andhra Pradesh state after a decade-long build-up.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/chandrayaan-2-isro-gears-up-to-launch-second-sojourn-to-the-moon-235692"><strong>In pics: ISRO gears up to launch second sojourn to the moon</strong></a></p>

<p>The mission will also highlight how far space travel has advanced since Neil Armstrong's giant leap for mankind during the Apollo 11 mission.</p>

<p>India has spent about $140 million to get Chandrayaan-2 ready for the 384,400 kilometres (around 240,000 miles) trip from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre to the scheduled landing on the lunar South Pole on September 6.</p>

<p>The United States spent about $25 billion - the equivalent of more than $100 billion in current prices - on 15 Apollo missions, including the six that put Armstrong and other astronauts on the Moon.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-chandrayaan-2-indias-second-lunar-exploration-mission-235637"><strong>Track&nbsp;l</strong></a><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-chandrayaan-2-indias-second-lunar-exploration-mission-235637">ive updates here: Chandrayaan-2 — India's second lunar exploration mission</a></strong></p>

<p>China landed its Chang'e 4 lunar craft in January, and spent $8.4 billion on its entire space programme in 2017, according to international Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development figures.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: ISRO Chairman K.Sivan speaks exclusively to WION</strong></p>

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<p>And Russia - the first country to land an unmanned moon rocket in 1966 - spent more than $20 billion at today's values on lunar missions in the 1960s and 70s.</p>

<p><strong>Spiced-up space race</strong></p>

<p>Almost the entire <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-2-to-be-most-complex-mission-isro-has-taken-so-far-former-chief-g-madhavan-nair-235773">Chandrayaan-2's orbiter</a>, lander and rover have been designed and made in India.</p>

<p>India will use its most powerful rocket launcher, GSLV Mk III, to carry the 2.4 tonne orbiter, which has a mission life of about a year.</p>

<p>The spacecraft will carry the 1.4 tonne lander Vikram - which in turn will take the 27-kilogramme (60-pound) rover Pragyan - to a high plain between two craters on the lunar South Pole.</p>

<p>Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Sivan said Vikram's 15-minute final descent "will be the most terrifying moments as we have never undertaken such a complex mission".</p>

<p>The solar-powered rover can travel up to 500 metres (yards) and is expected to work for one lunar day, the equivalent of 14 Earth days.</p>

<p>Sivan said the probe will be looking for signs of water and "a fossil record of the early solar system".</p>

<p>Despite the relatively small budget, the mission does raise questions about how funds are allocated when the country is still battling hunger and poverty.</p>

<p>But national pride is at stake: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to send a manned mission into orbit by 2022.</p>

<p>Most experts say the geo-strategic stakes are small - but that India's low-cost model could win commercial satellite and orbiting deals.</p>

<p>"The fundamental question that we should ask ourselves in this context is not whether India should undertake such ambitious space ventures, but whether India can afford to ignore it," said K Kasturirangan, a former ISRO chief.</p>

<p>India has to aim to be a leader in space, he added.</p>

<p>Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, head of space policy at the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi think tank, said Chandrayaan-2 will enhance the nation's reputation "at a time when the global and particularly, the Asian space programmes are becoming increasingly competitive".</p>

<p>Amitabha Ghosh, a scientist for NASA's Rover mission to Mars, said the benefits of Chandrayaan-2 are huge, compared to its cost.</p>

<p>"A spacecraft mission of the complexity of Chandrayaan-2 conveys a message that India is capable of delivering on difficult technology development endeavours," said Ghosh.</p>

<p>However, some experts say anyone looking for a cheap ticket to space should think of the comfort on low-cost plane rides closer to Earth.</p>

<p>Scott Hubbard, a former top NASA researcher now with Stanford University, examined the cost-effectiveness of the Indian Mars orbiter against the American Maven mission.</p>

<p>Although both launched in 2013, Maven is estimated to have cost 10 times more, but India's Mangalyaan was only designed to last about a year.</p>

<p>"The US mission was required to last two years. That's a big difference in cost," said Hubbard. And Mangalyaan's payload was 15 kg, while Maven could carry 65 kg with more sophisticated instruments.</p>

<p>"So you get what you pay for," concluded Hubbard.</p>


India will step up the international space race on Monday when it launches a low-cost mission to become only the fourth country to land a probe on the moon. Just five days before the 50th anniversary of man's first lunar landing, Chandrayaan-2 - or Moon Chariot 2 - will blast off from a tropical island off Andhra Pradesh state after a decade-long build-up.

India will step up the international space race on Monday when it launches a low-cost mission to become only the fourth country to land a probe on the moon. Just five days before the 50th anniversary of man's first lunar landing, Chandrayaan-2 - or Moon Chariot 2 - will blast off from a tropical island off Andhra Pradesh state after a decade-long build-up. In pics: ISRO gears up to launch second sojourn to the moon The mission will also highlight how far space travel has advanced since Neil Armstrong's giant leap for mankind during the Apollo 11 mission. India has spent about $140 million to get Chandrayaan-2 ready for the 384,400 kilometres (around 240,000 miles) trip from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre to the scheduled landing on the lunar South Pole on September 6. The United States spent about $25 billion - the equivalent of more than $100 billion in current prices - on 15 Apollo missions, including the six that put Armstrong and other astronauts on the Moon. Track live updates here: Chandrayaan-2 — India's second lunar exploration mission China landed its Chang'e 4 lunar craft in January, and spent $8.4 billion on its entire space programme in 2017, according to international Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development figures. Watch: ISRO Chairman K.Sivan speaks exclusively to WION × And Russia - the first country to land an unmanned moon rocket in 1966 - spent more than $20 billion at today's values on lunar missions in the 1960s and 70s. Spiced-up space race Almost the entire Chandrayaan-2's orbiter, lander and rover have been designed and made in India. India will use its most powerful rocket launcher, GSLV Mk III, to carry the 2.4 tonne orbiter, which has a mission life of about a year. The spacecraft will carry the 1.4 tonne lander Vikram - which in turn will take the 27-kilogramme (60-pound) rover Pragyan - to a high plain between two craters on the lunar South Pole. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Sivan said Vikram's 15-minute final descent "will be the most terrifying moments as we have never undertaken such a complex mission". The solar-powered rover can travel up to 500 metres (yards) and is expected to work for one lunar day, the equivalent of 14 Earth days. Sivan said the probe will be looking for signs of water and "a fossil record of the early solar system". Despite the relatively small budget, the mission does raise questions about how funds are allocated when the country is still battling hunger and poverty. But national pride is at stake: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to send a manned mission into orbit by 2022. Most experts say the geo-strategic stakes are small - but that India's low-cost model could win commercial satellite and orbiting deals. "The fundamental question that we should ask ourselves in this context is not whether India should undertake such ambitious space ventures, but whether India can afford to ignore it," said K Kasturirangan, a former ISRO chief. India has to aim to be a leader in space, he added. Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, head of space policy at the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi think tank, said Chandrayaan-2 will enhance the nation's reputation "at a time when the global and particularly, the Asian space programmes are becoming increasingly competitive". Amitabha Ghosh, a scientist for NASA's Rover mission to Mars, said the benefits of Chandrayaan-2 are huge, compared to its cost. "A spacecraft mission of the complexity of Chandrayaan-2 conveys a message that India is capable of delivering on difficult technology development endeavours," said Ghosh. However, some experts say anyone looking for a cheap ticket to space should think of the comfort on low-cost plane rides closer to Earth. Scott Hubbard, a former top NASA researcher now with Stanford University, examined the cost-effectiveness of the Indian Mars orbiter against the American Maven mission. Although both launched in 2013, Maven is estimated to have cost 10 times more, but India's Mangalyaan was only designed to last about a year. "The US mission was required to last two years. That's a big difference in cost," said Hubbard. And Mangalyaan's payload was 15 kg, while Maven could carry 65 kg with more sophisticated instruments. "So you get what you pay for," concluded Hubbard.

Chandrayaan-2: Low-cost moon mission puts India among lunar pioneers

<p>India's historic moon mission, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/things-to-know-about-indias-most-ambitious-moon-mission-chandrayaan-2-235753">Chandrayaan-2</a> is going to be the "most complex mission" that ISRO has undertaken so far," former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chief said hours before the launch on Sunday.</p>

<p>"Scientifically, it is a follow on mission to confirm data from Chandrayaan-1. It is going to be a big motivator for the young scientific groups," G Madhavan Nair added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISRO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISRO</a> Chief, G Madhavan Nair: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chandrayaan2?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chandrayaan2</a> is going to be the most complex mission that ISRO has undertaken so far. Scientifically, it is a follow on mission to confirm data from Chandrayaan-1. It is going to be a big motivator for the young scientific groups. <a href="https://t.co/HdwyUNNmu1">pic.twitter.com/HdwyUNNmu1</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1150340899286736896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-chandrayaan-2-indias-second-lunar-exploration-mission-235637"><strong>Live: Chandrayaan-2 — India's second lunar exploration mission</strong></a></p>

<p>Chandrayaan-2, India's Moon mission to the unexplored south polar region of Earth's natural satellite will blast off on July 15 at 2:51&nbsp;am. It will be launched from Sriharikota's space centre in Andhra Pradesh.</p>

<p>Chandrayaan-2, which has home-grown technology, will explore a region of Moon where no mission has ever set foot. According to ISRO Chairman Kailasavadivoo Sivan, the landing site, at a latitude of about 70 degrees south, is the southernmost for any mission till date.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: A brief history of every moon mission in the history of space exploration</strong></p>

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<p>The probe's total mass is 3.8 ton and it is expected to land on Moon's south polar region on September 6 or 7 this year.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/chandrayaan-2-isro-gears-up-to-launch-second-sojourn-to-the-moon-235692">In pics: Chandrayaan-2 — ISRO gears up to launch second sojourn to the moon</a></p>

<p>It will be the first Indian expedition to attempt a soft landing on the lunar surface. This mission will make India the fourth country after the US, Russia and China to carry out a soft landing on Moon.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India's historic moon mission, Chandrayaan-2 is going to be the "most complex mission" that ISRO has undertaken so far," former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chief said hours before the launch on Sunday.

India's historic moon mission, Chandrayaan-2 is going to be the "most complex mission" that ISRO has undertaken so far," former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chief said hours before the launch on Sunday. "Scientifically, it is a follow on mission to confirm data from Chandrayaan-1. It is going to be a big motivator for the young scientific groups," G Madhavan Nair added. Former #ISRO Chief, G Madhavan Nair: #Chandrayaan2 is going to be the most complex mission that ISRO has undertaken so far. Scientifically, it is a follow on mission to confirm data from Chandrayaan-1. It is going to be a big motivator for the young scientific groups. pic.twitter.com/HdwyUNNmu1 — ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2019 × Live: Chandrayaan-2 — India's second lunar exploration mission Chandrayaan-2, India's Moon mission to the unexplored south polar region of Earth's natural satellite will blast off on July 15 at 2:51 am. It will be launched from Sriharikota's space centre in Andhra Pradesh. Chandrayaan-2, which has home-grown technology, will explore a region of Moon where no mission has ever set foot. According to ISRO Chairman Kailasavadivoo Sivan, the landing site, at a latitude of about 70 degrees south, is the southernmost for any mission till date. Watch: A brief history of every moon mission in the history of space exploration × The probe's total mass is 3.8 ton and it is expected to land on Moon's south polar region on September 6 or 7 this year. In pics: Chandrayaan-2 — ISRO gears up to launch second sojourn to the moon It will be the first Indian expedition to attempt a soft landing on the lunar surface. This mission will make India the fourth country after the US, Russia and China to carry out a soft landing on Moon. (With inputs from agencies)

Chandrayaan-2 to be 'most complex mission' ISRO has taken so far: Former chief G Madhavan Nair

<p>India is all set to make history on July 15 with its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/countdown-begins-for-launch-of-chandrayaan-ii-tomorrow-235687">second Moon mission, Chandrayaan-2</a>.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
India's most ambitious Moon mission will launch from Sriharikota's space centre in Andhra Pradesh at 2:51&nbsp;am on July 15.</p>

<p>It is scheduled to make a landing on the lunar surface by September 6 or 7.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-chandrayaan-2-indias-second-lunar-exploration-mission-235637"><strong>Live: Chandrayaan-2 — India's second lunar exploration mission</strong></a></p>

<p>The mission is a giant leap in India's space program.</p>

<p>Ahead of the launch here is a quick glimpse of what the mission will be like.</p>

<p>Launched from Sriharikota in southern India on a one hundred per cent Indian rocket, Chandryaan-2, meaning lunar vehicle in Sanskrit, is heading for the unexplored part of the Moon, south pole.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/chandrayaan-2-isro-gears-up-to-launch-second-sojourn-to-the-moon-235692">In pics: Chandrayaan-2 — ISRO gears up to launch second sojourn to the Moon</a></p>

<p>It should arrive at the beginning of September 2019 after a 380,000-kilometre voyage.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: ISRO Chairman K Sivan speaks exclusively to WION</strong></p>

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<p>Once it’s in lunar orbit 100 kilometres above the surface, the spacecraft will send a lander on a controlled descent to the surface.</p>

<p>The lander will then release a six-wheeled solar-powered rover that will cover about 200 metres of lunar territory.</p>

<p>The aim of the fourteen-day mission is to examine the surface, gathering data on minerals and even water in the form of ice.</p>

<p>Eleven years after the Chandrayaan- 1 mission, which placed a probe in orbit around the Moon, India aims to become the fourth country to send a mission to the Moon’s surface after the US, the Soviet Union and China.</p>

<p>But India's ambitions don't stop there; they hope the first manned mission to space will take off before 2022.</p>


India is all set to make history on July 15 with its second Moon mission, Chandrayaan-2. India's most ambitious Moon mission will launch from Sriharikota's space centre in Andhra Pradesh at 2:51 am on July 15.

India is all set to make history on July 15 with its second Moon mission, Chandrayaan-2. India's most ambitious Moon mission will launch from Sriharikota's space centre in Andhra Pradesh at 2:51 am on July 15. It is scheduled to make a landing on the lunar surface by September 6 or 7. Live: Chandrayaan-2 — India's second lunar exploration mission The mission is a giant leap in India's space program. Ahead of the launch here is a quick glimpse of what the mission will be like. Launched from Sriharikota in southern India on a one hundred per cent Indian rocket, Chandryaan-2, meaning lunar vehicle in Sanskrit, is heading for the unexplored part of the Moon, south pole. In pics: Chandrayaan-2 — ISRO gears up to launch second sojourn to the Moon It should arrive at the beginning of September 2019 after a 380,000-kilometre voyage. Watch: ISRO Chairman K Sivan speaks exclusively to WION × Once it’s in lunar orbit 100 kilometres above the surface, the spacecraft will send a lander on a controlled descent to the surface. The lander will then release a six-wheeled solar-powered rover that will cover about 200 metres of lunar territory. The aim of the fourteen-day mission is to examine the surface, gathering data on minerals and even water in the form of ice. Eleven years after the Chandrayaan- 1 mission, which placed a probe in orbit around the Moon, India aims to become the fourth country to send a mission to the Moon’s surface after the US, the Soviet Union and China. But India's ambitions don't stop there; they hope the first manned mission to space will take off before 2022.

Things to know about India's most ambitious Moon mission Chandrayaan-2

<p>Indian Space Research Organisation Friday said it has successfully conducted a scaled-down test for the soft and safe landing of its Chandrayaan-2 lander for India's second Moon mission.</p>

<p>The moon lander, Vikram, named after the father of Indian space programme Vikram Sarabhai, is crucial to carry out various tests on the moon surface.</p>

<p>"Scaled-down version of Chandrayaan-2 Lander Vikram completed, critical Lander Actuator Performance Test (LAPT) to demonstrate capabilities of navigation, guidance and control system of Vikram for a safe, soft and precise landing on the moon," ISRO said in a release.</p>

<p>The LAPT test was meant for compensating the effect of earth's gravity as compared to moon's gravity and to match the thrust generation of sea level liquid engines as compared to flight engines, which will operate in vacuum environment, it said.</p>

<p>The module was tied to a crane hook for conducting the test at a special test facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p>It was the third and final test to demonstrate retargeting in a parabolic tragectory.</p>

<p>The LAPT demonstrated the capability of the NGC system Vikram' to meet the mission requirement of safe, soft and precise landing on the lunar surface by steering the module horizontally as well as vertically down to a pre-defined target, the release said.</p>

<p>"With this, all the tests have been completed successfully. This is a major milestone accomplished in Chandrayaan-2 Lander," it said.</p>

<p>ISRO intends to launch Chandrayaan-2 sometime in January next year. The Mission will have an orbiter, lander and a rover.</p>

<p>India's first lunar mission Chandrayaan 1 was successfully launched in October 2008.</p>

<p>Scientists have found frozen water deposits in the darkest and coldest parts of the Moon's polar regions using data from the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, US space agency NASA said in August.&nbsp;</p>


Indian Space Research Organisation Friday said it has successfully conducted a scaled-down test for the soft and safe landing of its Chandrayaan-2 lander for India's second Moon mission.

Indian Space Research Organisation Friday said it has successfully conducted a scaled-down test for the soft and safe landing of its Chandrayaan-2 lander for India's second Moon mission. The moon lander, Vikram, named after the father of Indian space programme Vikram Sarabhai, is crucial to carry out various tests on the moon surface. "Scaled-down version of Chandrayaan-2 Lander Vikram completed, critical Lander Actuator Performance Test (LAPT) to demonstrate capabilities of navigation, guidance and control system of Vikram for a safe, soft and precise landing on the moon," ISRO said in a release. The LAPT test was meant for compensating the effect of earth's gravity as compared to moon's gravity and to match the thrust generation of sea level liquid engines as compared to flight engines, which will operate in vacuum environment, it said. The module was tied to a crane hook for conducting the test at a special test facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu. It was the third and final test to demonstrate retargeting in a parabolic tragectory. The LAPT demonstrated the capability of the NGC system Vikram' to meet the mission requirement of safe, soft and precise landing on the lunar surface by steering the module horizontally as well as vertically down to a pre-defined target, the release said. "With this, all the tests have been completed successfully. This is a major milestone accomplished in Chandrayaan-2 Lander," it said. ISRO intends to launch Chandrayaan-2 sometime in January next year. The Mission will have an orbiter, lander and a rover. India's first lunar mission Chandrayaan 1 was successfully launched in October 2008. Scientists have found frozen water deposits in the darkest and coldest parts of the Moon's polar regions using data from the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, US space agency NASA said in August.

Scaled down test for safe landing of Chandrayaan-2 lander conducted successfully: ISRO 