Sriharokota, September 2: It's a big day for the scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as the Chandrayaan 2 lander-rover will be separated from the orbiter on Monday. The separation of Vikram Lander from Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter, is scheduled today between 12:45 and 13:45 hrs (IST). "Following the fifth and Final Lunar-bound Orbit Manoeuvre, there will be two deorbit maneuvers of Vikram Lander to prepare for its landing in the south polar region of the moon," ISRO said. Chandrayaan 2 Explained! When Will ISRO's GSLV-Mk III Reach Moon And What Will Happen After That?

The soft landing of the spacecraft on the lunar surface is scheduled for September 7. With the successful landing, Chandrayaan 2 will be the first Indian expedition to carry out a soft landing on the lunar surface. This mission will make India the fourth country after the US, Russia, and China to conduct a soft landing on the moon.

The fifth and final lunar-bound orbit manoeuvre of Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft was carried out on Sunday at 1821 hrs IST as planned using the onboard propulsion system. The duration of the manoeuvre was 52 seconds. The orbit achieved is 119 km x 127 km, the space agency said in a statement. The fourth lunar-bound orbit manoeuvre of the spacecraft was performed on August 30, third on August 28, second on August 21 and the first on August 20. Chandrayaan 2 Launched Successfully by ISRO From Sriharikota; India Scripts History With Second Moon Mission.

Chandrayaan 2: Where Is The Spacecraft Now & When It Will Reach The Moon? (Watch Video):

The spacecraft will explore a region of the moon where no mission has ever set foot. The spacecraft consists of an orbiter, a lander, and a rover together referred to as "composite body". After revolving around the Earth's orbit for nearly 23 days, the craft began its journey to the moon on August 14.The mission took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 22.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2019 10:26 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).