Chandrayaan 2 is the second mission as part of the Chandrayaan Space Program by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Chandrayaan which basically means “moon vehicle” or “mooncraft” is a two part mission to study and land on the moon.
Chandrayaan 1 was a moon orbiter which was to revolve about the moon in an orbit and take pictures and study the moon from afar and to send all of this information to the team back on Earth. It also included a Moon Impact Probe which launch and impact landed on to the surface of the moon near its Southern Pole. The impact point has been named Jawahar Point. The impactor would check the sub-surface soil for the presence of water.
Chandrayaan 2 consists of a lunar orbiter, the Vikram lander, and the Pragyan lunar rover. The objective was to study the moon and map its topography from the orbitor, while the Vikram lander would soft land on the surface of the moon, and release the Pragyan lunar rover. The rover would then map the location and quantity of lunar water for one lunar day, which is about 14 earth days.
Importance of the Chandrayan Space Program
Most people are wondering what all the hulla bullo is about, after all other agengies such as NASA have already landed on the moon. The main point is the fact that India is still considered a third world country by the rest of the world. For a “backward nation” to be able to develop and launch its own space program and to successfully land on the moon is a huge deal. The mission was considered a major boost to India’s space program as India had researched and developed all of its own technology for the mission.
Not only was Chandrayaan considered a huge success, it marked India as the fourth country in the world to land and place its flag insignia on the Moon. Not only that but in true Indian fashion, the Chandrayaan missions were quite cost comparative when compared to other similar projects, i.e. it was cheaper. Chandrayan-1 even carried six other payloads from other space agencies including NASA, ESA, and the Bulgarian Aerospace Agency, which were carried free of cost.
Most Important – Chandrayaan 2 put India on the Moon!
What’s next?
Chandrayaan 1 has been a success. The orbitor had successfully entered the moon’s orbit and even though it was supposed to be a two year long mission, it only lasted 10 months and 6 days. Still, it managed to complete 95% of its planned objectives.
Chandrayaan 2 also had some difficulties. It successfully entered the orbit, however, during the landing of the Vikram lander, IRSO lost communication when touchdown was expected. It is estimated that it crash landed on the surface of the moon, however ISRO has not given hope and is trying to reinstate communication.
Despite the difficulties, the Chandrayaan program has still been a major success for India and ISRO. It has proved to the world that India is up there with the best of them, and it showed its scientific and technological abilities. This has forces the world to consider India as a power to be reckoned with.
ISRO has been part of 105 Spacecraft Missions, 75 Launch Missions, 10 Student Satellites, 2 Re-Entry Missions, and 297 Foreign Satellite Launches. One of these was also a Mars Orbiter Mission. The Chandrayaan program was just the beginning. There will be many other projects to come, one of which is the $1.4 billion Gaganyaan mission. It aims to put three Indian astronauts, at least one who will be a woman, in orbit. This will continue to prove to the world that India is a force to be reckoned with.
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