Chandrayaan-2 Mission

Chandrayaan 2 is a lunar mission by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) that aimed to explore the South Pole of the Moon. The mission was launched on July 22, 2019, and it involved the use of an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. The mission was significant because it was India's second lunar mission, and it was the first time that any country attempted to land a spacecraft near the Moon's South Pole.

Background and objectives of the mission

Chandrayaan 2 was conceptualized in 2007 as a follow-up to India's first lunar mission, Chandrayaan 1, which was launched in 2008. The objectives of the mission were to study the lunar surface, the chemical and mineral composition of the Moon, and the lunar environment. The mission aimed to find water on the Moon, which could be used as a resource for future missions, and it also aimed to conduct experiments to better understand the Moon's formation and evolution.

The mission was initially planned to launch in 2018, but it was postponed due to technical issues. The final launch date was set for July 15, 2019, but it was delayed again due to a technical glitch. The mission finally launched on July 22, 2019, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India.

The spacecraft

Chandrayaan 2 consisted of three components: an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. The orbiter was the main spacecraft that would orbit the Moon and study its surface. The lander was named Vikram, after the founder of ISRO, Vikram Sarabhai, and it would land on the Moon's surface near the South Pole. The rover was named Pragyan, which means "wisdom" in Sanskrit, and it would be carried by Vikram to the lunar surface.

The orbiter was designed to operate for one year in a circular orbit around the Moon, at an altitude of 100 km. The orbiter carried eight scientific instruments, including a high-resolution camera, a spectrometer, and a radar instrument. The orbiter would map the lunar surface and study its composition, as well as study the Moon's atmosphere and ionosphere.

The lander, Vikram, was designed to land on a high plain between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, near the Moon's South Pole. The lander carried four scientific instruments, including a seismometer, a thermal probe, and a Langmuir probe. The lander would study the lunar surface and environment and send data back to Earth through the orbiter.

The rover, Pragyan, was designed to operate on the lunar surface for one lunar day, which is equivalent to about 14 Earth days. The rover weighed 27 kg and was solar-powered. The rover carried two scientific instruments, including an alpha particle X-ray spectrometer and a laser-induced breakdown spectroscope. The rover would analyze the lunar surface and send data back to Earth through the lander and the orbiter.

The mission's journey to the Moon

Chandrayaan 2's journey to the Moon was a complex and challenging process. The spacecraft was launched by a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III) rocket, which is India's most powerful rocket. The spacecraft entered Earth's orbit and then performed a series of maneuvers to gradually raise its orbit and reach the Moon.

The spacecraft traveled for nearly six days before entering the Moon's orbit on August 20, 2019. The orbiter then performed a series of maneuvers to reduce its altitude and enter a circular orbit around the Moon. The lander and rover were carried by the orbiter as it orbited the Moon, and they were prepared for the final descent and landing.

The landing attempt and aftermath

On September 7, 2019, the lander Vikram separated from the orbiter and began its descent to the lunar surface. The descent was planned to be automated, with the lander using its onboard sensors and thrusters to guide itself to the designated landing site.

However, during the final descent, the lander lost communication with the ground station, and the mission control team lost contact with the spacecraft. It was later confirmed that the lander had crashed into the lunar surface, likely due to a problem with its thrusters.

Despite the failed landing attempt, the orbiter continued to operate successfully and send data back to Earth. The orbiter's scientific instruments were able to study the lunar surface and environment, and it made significant discoveries. For example, the orbiter detected water molecules on the lunar surface, which confirmed the presence of water on the Moon.

Conclusion

Chandrayaan 2 was a significant mission for India's space program, and it demonstrated India's technological capabilities in space exploration. The mission faced some challenges and setbacks, but it still achieved some significant accomplishments. The orbiter's discoveries of water on the Moon and other scientific findings will contribute to our understanding of the Moon's formation and evolution, and they will pave the way for future lunar missions.