Chandrayaan-2 successfully launched; Prez, VP and PM congratulate ISRO

The powerful booster GSLV-Mark-Three carrying Chandrayaan-2 on-board zoomed into space at 14.43 hours by puffing out thick smoke and leaving trailblazers amidst thundering sound from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. 

After piercing through the cloudy sky, it placed the high-stake lunar probe into the designated highly elliptical orbit around the earth in just 16 minutes and 33 seconds. ISRO Chairman Dr Sivan congratulated the Team ISRO for the remarkable achievement saying it is the beginning of a historic journey by the nation to the moon.

From the earth-bound orbit, Chandrayaan-2 will be navigated by the ISRO scientists to near the South Pole of the moon. 

It will be made possible by carrying out fifteen earth-bound manoeuvres that involve burning the engine onboard Chandrayaan-2. It will be the first-ever soft-landing of a probe by India, that is expected to be on September 7. 

India would become the fourth ever nation to have a soft-landing on the moon, once Chandrayaan-2 reaches the unexplored area.

Originally Chandrayaan-2 was scheduled to be launched on July 15th, but it had to be rescheduled after a leakage in the cryogenic upper stage of the rocket GSLV-Mark-Three has been observed. 

Dr Sivan noted that the scientists of the national space agency burned the midnight oil and meticulously fixed the problem in just under twenty-four hours, making the remarkable launch possible today. 

The loss of seven days due to the rescheduling is being compensated by the ISRO by way of tweaking the flight path of the probe. Scientists say, there is enough legroom for them to carry out the modifications in the flight duration.

The mission objectives of India’s second expedition to the moon using Chandrayaan-2 include studying mineralogy and chemical composition of lunar soil, to search for water or ice in the near-South Pole of the moon, examining its atmosphere, studying lunar seismic activities and to carry out mapping of the moon using high-resolution cameras.  

President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu have congratulated Team ISRO on the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2 from the Sriharikota Range in Andhra Pradesh



today. 

In a series of tweets, Mr Kovind said, the historic launch of Chandrayaan-2 is a proud moment for all Indians. 

He said Chandrayaan-2 will be the first spacecraft to land close to the moon’s the South Pole in some 50 days from now. 

The mission is expected to lead to new discoveries and enrich the knowledge systems. President congratulated the scientists and engineers for furthering India's indigenous space programme. 

He hoped that ISRO will continue to master new technologies and conquer new frontiers.

Vice President Naidu said the successful landing of Chandrayaan-2, on the moon in a few weeks will make India the fourth country to do so. 

He also conveyed his best wishes for the successful culmination of the mission.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the launch of Chandrayaan-2 illustrates the prowess of country's scientists and the determination of 130 crore Indians to scale new frontiers of science. In a series of tweets, Mr Modi said, Chandrayaan2 is unique because it will explore and perform studies on the South Pole region of lunar terrain which was not explored and sampled by any past mission. He said, it is a matter of great happiness that Chandrayaan- 2 is a fully indigenous mission. He said, this mission will offer new knowledge about the Moon. 

Prime Minister said, efforts such as Chandrayaan-2 will further encourage India's youth towards science, top-quality research and innovation. He said, every Indian is immensely proud today. Mr Modi said, India's Lunar Programme will get a substantial boost, thanks to Chandrayaan. He said, the existing knowledge of the moon will be significantly enhanced and added, it is a special moment that will be etched in the annals of the country's glorious history. 

In an audio message to the scientist of ISRO, Mr Modi lauded their hard work and commitment which made the endeavour successful after the launch had to postponed due to technical reason. He said, solving the issue within a week is a huge feat. He said, it is a brilliant example of the confidence and the capabilities of the Indian Scientists. 

Prime Minister said, Chandrayaan-2 will be the first Indian spacecraft to land on the moon and the 4th in the world to do so.