Bengaluru: As Chandrayaan-2’s landing module ‘Vikram’ begins its final descent to pull off a historic soft landing on the lunar surface in the early hours of Saturday, the Indian Space Research Organisation, as well as the country, awaits with bated breath for the “terrifying moment” which is crucial in the entire mission.
‘Vikram’ with rover ‘Pragyaan’ housed inside is scheduled for a powered-descent between 1 am and 2 am on September 7, followed by its touchdown between 1.30 am and 2.30 am.
The lander is now in an orbit that would be about 35 km from the lunar surface at its nearest point from where it will begin its final descent. However, utmost care is needed during the soft landing especially because the lunar South Pole is still unknown to the world.
A successful landing will make India the fourth country after Russia, the US and China to achieve a soft landing on the moon. But it will be the first to launch a mission to the unexplored lunar south pole.
Joined by about 60-70 high school students from across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present at the ISRO centre in Bengaluru to witness live the space feat, according to officials.
Discussion about this post