Chandrayaan 2: ISRO billion dream project, 5 interesting facts
Only a few minutes to go for the launch of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ’s billion dream project i.e. Chandrayaan 2.
The world has eyed on the lunar mission of India which will begin at 02:43 pm on 22nd July 2019 from Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota.
Earlier on 15 July, the launch of the mission was called off due to the technical snag. After the hard work of the Indian space agency, the mission is all set to launch today.
Chandrayaan-2 is India's Moon mission to the unexplored south polar region of the Moon.
The scientists also offered prayers at temples near the base so that last week problem would not repeat.
Know why India’s second mission to the moon is important?
Chandrayaan 2 is a completely indigenous mission which has involved heavy participation from the private sector. As per the reports, the estimated cost for the spacecraft systems spends around Rs 603 crore while Rs 373 crore for the launcher GSLV MK-III. The mission will carry the three primary payloads i.e. the Vikram (named after ISRO founder and eminent Indian scientist Vikram Sarabhai) lander, the orbiter and the Pragyan rover.
Functions of Orbiter, lander, and rover:
The orbiter will perform a mapping from an altitude of 100 kilometers, the lander will help in making a soft landing on the surface and send out the rover.
Also, chemical composition, minerals, detecting water molecules, and rock formations, etc will be able to know with the help of these payloads.
If this mission gets successful then it will be the biggest success in terms of Indian history as Chandrayaan 2 is expected to provide detailed information about the Moon.
Check out 5 interesting facts about Chandrayaan-2:
1. The total weight of the Chandrayaan-2 is 3,850 kg (8,490 lb). The total expenditure on the mission is approximately US $141 million. Earlier, Russia was helping India to launch the mission in 2011 and was supposed to carry Russian-made lander and rover. Since, Russia pulled out and therefore, ISRO itself develops its lander and rover which resulted in the delay.
2. The objective behind to launch the Chandryaan-2 is to map the location and abundance of water on the moon. Also, it will study the lunar topography, mineralogy, elemental abundance, and the lunar exosphere. It will also do the 3D mapping of the topography of the South Polar region and will determine its elemental composition and the seismic activity.
3. With the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2, India will become the fourth country to soft-land on the lunar surface.
4. The 43.43 m tall three-stage rocket called as ‘Baahubali’ will carry the heavy payloads that would be carrying Chandrayaan-2 and inject the spacecraft into Earth orbit about 16 minutes later. Before landing on the Moon, the Chandrayaan will undergo the 15 crucial maneuvers. As per the ISRO chief, India would become the first country, if Scientist makes a soft landing on the lander in the South Pole region of the Moon where no other country has gone so far.
5. GSLV MK III is the most powerful launcher that will be using for the mission Chandrayaan-2. This launcher is fully designed and manufactured in India.
Also Read: Chandrayaan - 2 launch: Filling of Liquid Hydrogen in progress, tweets ISRO
First published: 22 July 2019, 14:17 IST