New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO for Chandrayaan-2 successfully entering the lunar orbit and said it is an important step in the landmark journey to the Moon.
The Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) manoeuvre was completed successfully at 9.02am as planned, using the on board propulsion system, India’s space agency had earlier said in a statement.
“Congratulations to Team @ISRO on #Chandrayaan2 entering the Moon’s orbit. This is an important step in the landmark journey to the Moon,” Narendra Modi tweeted later in the day.
However, Tuesday’s lunar orbit insertion (LOI) of Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft was a big test for India’s moon mission for sure – but not the biggest. The most challenging part of the ambitious venture would come September 7 when ISRO will try something it has not done before.
It’s when Chandrayaan-2 will attempt to soft land its
Vikram module on the lunar surface and deploy six-wheeled rover ‘Pragyaan’ on the Moon to carry out several scientific experiments. If successful, the mission will make India only the fourth country after Russia, the US and China to pull off a soft landing on the moon.
It’s going to be a ‘terrifying’ moment as it’s the first time that India is attempting such a feat, ISRO chairman K Sivan said Tuesday in Bangalore. “Whatever humanly possible, we did,” K Sivan said about the preparations for the soft-landing of Chandrayaan-2.
Chandrayaan-2 comprises an Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and rover (Pragyaan).
The Orbiter carries eight scientific payloads for mapping the lunar surface and studies the exosphere (outer atmosphere) of the Moon.
The Lander carries three scientific payloads to conduct surface and subsurface science experiments while the Rover will play an important role in enhancing the understanding of the lunar surface.
On the day of landing, Vikram carrying the Rover will separate from the Orbiter and then perform a series of complex manoeuvres comprising rough braking and fine braking, according to the ISRO.
Imaging of the landing site region prior to landing will be done for finding safe and hazard-free zones. Vikram will finally land near South Pole of the moon, September 7.
PTI