Chandrayaan-2 First Look: ISRO Unveils Photos of Modules of India's Second Moon Mission Set For July 2019 Launch
ISRO released three images of the modules of Chandrayaan-2 mission which is expected to launch off in July.
Bengaluru, June 12: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday released first look of the modules of India's second moon mission Chandrayaan-2 from its facility in Bengaluru. ISRO released three images of the modules of Chandrayaan-2 mission which is expected to launch off in July. The Rs 800-crore Chandrayaan-2, has three modules namely Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan).
According to ISRO, Orbiter and Lander modules of Chandrayaan-2 will be interfaced mechanically and stacked together as an integrated module. The Rover is housed inside the Lander. Once launched into earthbound orbit by the rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV MK-III), the integrated module will reach the Moon orbit using Orbiter propulsion module. Chandrayaan-2 Will Have 13 Payloads: ISRO.
Subsequently, Lander will separate from the Orbiter and soft land at the predetermined site close to the lunar South Pole, the ISRO said. Further, the Rover will roll out for carrying out scientific experiments on the lunar surface. Instruments are also mounted on Lander and Orbiter for carrying out scientific experiments, the space agency added. India to Launch Chandrayaan-2 in 2nd Week of July.
First look of modules of Chandrayaan-2:
According to reports, Chandrayaan-2 would be carrying a NASA science probe. It will carry NASA-owned laser retroreflector arrays that allow scientists to make precise measurements of the distance to the Moon, the US space agency officials said, during the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference held in Texas, the space.com reported.
India launched its maiden moon mission Chandrayaan-1 on October 22, 2008, from its only spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. Chandrayaan-2's lander has been named "Vikram" as a tribute to the pioneer of India's space programme and former ISRO chairman Vikram Sarabhai.
When Chandrayaan-2's rover lands on the Moon, India will become the fifth country in the world to achieve the feat after Soviet Union in 1959, the US in 1969, China in December 2013, and Israel in 2019. (With agency inputs)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 12, 2019 12:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).