Chandrayaan-2: National Geographic To Take You To Moon With This NASA Scientist

National Geographic, the American television network, is all set to take its viewers on a once in a lifetime expedition, as it is gearing up to broadcast the historic landing of Chandrayaan-2 on the surface of the Moon at 1:30 am-2:30 am on September 6. The TV channel will bring in NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger in an exclusive live show where he will share his experiences in space. The show will broadcast live on National Geographic and Hotstar on September 6, 2019 at 11.30 pm and will be available to viewers on Hotstar.

"India's contribution towards space exploration over the years has been instrumental in unravelling discoveries beyond earth. Chandrayaan-2 is a breakthrough mission that will enable us to understand the presence of water on the Moon. This is not to benefit India but mankind across the globe" said Linenger in a statement.

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"I am excited to be witnessing this historic moment in India and will urge all to witness India making history," he added.

Linenger is known for surviving a fire during one of the most dramatic missions in the history of space. He spent nearly five months aboard the Russian Space Station Mir. He was also an expert witness for the worldwide blockbuster Nat Geo 10-part series, One Strange Rock, which focused on the "against all odds" creation of planet Earth and of the emergence and sustainability of life on the planet.

READ | Chandrayaan 2 landing will be witnessed by two students along-with PM Narendra Modi

On July 22, the Rs 978 crore Chandrayaan-2 was launched into space by ISRO's heavy lift rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV Mk III). The spacecraft comprises three segments - the Orbiter (weighing 2,379 kg, eight payloads), the lander 'Vikram' (1,471 kg, four payloads) and rover 'Pragyan' (27 kg, two payloads).

(With inputs from agencies)