Chandrayaan-2 launch called off due to technical snag, ISRO to announce revised date later

The launch of Chandrayaan-2 onboard GSLVMkIII-M1 was called off on Monday less than an hour before take-off by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) due to technical snag. The Chandrayaan-2, India's second Moon mission after Chandrayaan-1, was supposed to be deployed on the far side of the lunar surface.

It is to be noted that Chandrayaan-2 was all set to be launched from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh at 2:51 am with a rover that would land on the moon in about two months' time. However, the launch was stopped 56 minutes and 24 seconds before take-off at 1.55 am following the announcement from the Mission Control Centre.

Confusion prevailed for several minutes before ISRO came out with an official confirmation about the launch being cancelled. President Ram Nath Kovind was present at the space port for the mission.

In a statement, ISRO Associate Director (Public Relations), B R Guruprasad said, "A technical snag was observed in the launch vehicle system at t-minus 56 minutes. As a measure of abundant precaution Chandrayaan 2 launch has been called off for today." "Revised launch date will be announced later," he added.

A technical snag was observed in launch vehicle system at 1 hour before the launch. As a measure of abundant precaution, #Chandrayaan2 launch has been called off for today. Revised launch date will be announced later.

— ISRO (@isro) July 14, 2019

The historic Chandrayaan-2 mission was supposed target a completely unexplored section of the Moon that is, its “South Polar region - Aitken Basin”. By conducting topographical studies and mineralogical analyses alongside a few other experiments on the Moon’s Surface, the ISRO’s ambitious mission aimed to get a better understanding of the Moon’s origin and its evolution.

The mission was being considered as a challenge since no space agency has ever explored the South Polar Region of the Moon. Importantly, Chandrayaan-1 made more than 3,400 orbits around the moon and was operational for 312 days till August 29, 2009.

Chandrayaan-2 has three elements including the Rover, the Lander and the Orbiter. As soon as the spacecraft will land on the moon, the lander will separate from the Orbiter and then perform a series of complex manoeuvres comprising of tough braking and fine braking. The lander, named Vikram, will land near the Moon’s South Pole and then it will then carry out experiments on Lunar surface for 1 Lunar day. A single lunar day is equal to 14 Earth days. However. Orbiter will continue its mission for a duration of one year.

RELATED