Chandrayaan 2 Launch: Second Attempt Likely To Be Carried Out This Month, Say Reports
The launch of India's second mission to Moon, was called off on July 15 following a technical snag in the 'Bahubali' rocket. The launch of the most ambitious space mission was aborted less than an hour before its scheduled lift-off at 2:51 am on Monday.
Sriharikota, July 15: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is likely to make a second attempt to launch the Chandrayaan 2 mission this month, reports said. The launch of India's second mission to Moon, was called off on July 15 following a technical snag in the 'Bahubali' rocket. The launch of the most ambitious space mission was aborted less than an hour before its scheduled lift-off at 2:51 AM on Monday. However, several media reports say that the complex mission can take place only between July 9 and 16. There is no official confirmation by ISRO for the launch of Chandrayaan 2 for the second time. Chandrayaan 2 Launch Called Off For Today Due to Technical Snag, ISRO To Announce New Launch Date For India's Second Moon Mission Later.
An hour before the lift-off, the ISRO announced that the launch of the moon mission had been called off. According to experts, there are thousands of parts in such a complicated spacecraft and it takes about 50 days to install everything and make it ready for the launch. As ISRO has decided to take out the engine, it is believed that it will have to be dismantled to a large extent. The experts believe that after the problem is rectified there will be computer simulation followed by reintegration and only then, there will be a re-launch date. Chandrayaan 2 Launch Cancelled: ‘Right Decision to Call Off Mission,’ Say Experts.
The countdown for the ambitious launch, which was scheduled for 2.51 AM on July 15, was stopped 56 minutes and 24 seconds before lift off at 1.55 AM following the announcement from the Mission Control Centre. It is believed that once launched, the Rs 978 crore Chandrayaan-2 mission is aimed to make India the fourth nation in the world to land and ride on the lunar surface. The other three nations that had achieved this feat are Russia, the US and China. Chandrayaan-2 will attempt to soft land the lander, Vikram, and rover, Pragyan, in a high plain between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at a latitude of about 70 degree south.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2019 03:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).