It was a moment of immense pride for India when Chandrayaan-2 took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center. Chandrayaan-2 took off on 22nd July 2019. Chandrayaan-2 launched using India’s most powerful satellite launch vehicle GSLV Mk III. It carries an Orbiter, a lander and also a rover.
Failure of Vikram lander to land on the lunar surface:
After a wait of 48 days, the Vikram lander was to land on the lunar surface on September 7, 1:54 A.M(IST). The Orbiter completed all its maneuvers and the lander separated from the Orbiter. Vikram lander also carries Pragyan Rover with it which was to be left out on the moon’s surface to analyze the lunar surface. But just 2.1 km from the surface of the moon. ISRO lost all communication to the lander. The scientists at the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru didn’t lose hope and kept on trying their best. Later, the ISRO Cheif Dr. K Sivan officially announced that ISRO lost communication with the lander and the reason for it is being analyzed. It was just a matter of seconds, and India would have become the first country to reach the south pole of the moon.
Vikram lander located on the lunar surface:
ISRO Cheif Dr. K Sivan in an Interview with ANI revealed that the exact location of Vikram lander had been located. The Orbiter released thermal pictures of the lunar surface. In the pictures, we can see the position of Vikram lander. ISRO also confirmed the news via a tweet. Dr. K Sivan further added that they are trying to establish communication and will be able to establish communication soon.
ISRO also revealed that the lander hasn’t crashed and it is in a single piece but a tilted position. Director of Chandrayaan-1 said that ISRO is not able to establish communication due to the obstacles on the lunar surface. Scientists are trying there best to establish communication. Every Indian hope and prays that ISRO soon establishes communication with the Vikram lander so that the efforts of all the scientists pay off.