After multiple delays and postponements, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set for its second mission to the moon. The space agency on Wednesday confirmed that India’s second moon mission – Chandrayaan 2, will take off on July 15 at 2.51 am
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ISRO chairman Dr K Sivan said that Chandrayaan-2 will carry 13 scientific satellites with it and weighs about 3.8 tonnes, the equivalent of eight elephants.
He also stated that Chandrayaan-2 will land on the moon in early September.
“The day we are going to land is either September 6 or September 7, that day happens to be the beginning of a lunar day. For one full lunar day, the lander and rover will be functioning and carry out scientific experiments,” he added.
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Chandrayaan-2 will explore a region of moon, where no mission has ever set foot.
The ISRO chief said the landing site, at about 70 degrees south latitude, is the southernmost for any mission till date. No country has attempted this before.
“The cost of Chandrayaan II Mission, mainly the satellite portion, including the support from foreign agencies as well as for navigation purpose, is Rs. 603 crore,” he said.
Sivan said that it will be launched using Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III).
AFP
Chandrayaan-II consists of an orbiter, a lander and a rover together referred to as “composite body”. The total mass of Chandrayaan 2 system is 3.8 ton; out of 3.8 ton, nearly 1.3 ton is the propeller.
“Within 15 minutes GSLV Mk III will inject the composite body in the extrinsic orbit,” he said. During the next 16 days, there will be five burns using propellants. He said that the trans-lunar burn will be an important maneuver as it will put the trajectory of the composite body towards the moon.
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ISRO had originally planned for a lunar mission in January- February. However, it was later rescheduled to March-April window.
Later it was set for May -July after damages suffered to the lander during preliminary tests.
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