What is The History of Chandrayaan-2?

Chandrayaan-2, India’s second lunar exploration mission, captivated the world with its ambition and scientific objectives. Launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Chandrayaan-2 aimed to enhance our understanding of the Moon’s surface, composition, and evolution. In this article, we delve into the history of Chandrayaan-2, highlighting its inception, development, and the key milestones leading up to its launch.

Inception and Objectives:

The roots of Chandrayaan-2 can be traced back to the success of India’s first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, which orbited the Moon from October 2008 to August 2009. Building upon the knowledge gained from its predecessor, ISRO conceived Chandrayaan-2 with the primary goal of achieving a soft landing on the lunar surface and deploying a rover to explore the uncharted territory near the south pole.

Development and Challenges:

The development of Chandrayaan-2 involved extensive planning, rigorous testing, and collaboration between various national and international institutions. ISRO’s engineers and scientists meticulously designed the mission’s three components: the Orbiter, the Vikram Lander, and the Pragyan Rover. The Orbiter would remain in lunar orbit, facilitating communication and scientific observations, while the Lander and Rover were tasked with a historic soft landing and surface exploration.

However, Chandrayaan-2 faced several challenges during its journey. The complexity of a soft landing on the lunar surface and the technical intricacies associated with deploying a rover posed significant hurdles. Nonetheless, ISRO’s unwavering determination and expertise pushed the mission forward.

Launch and the Journey to the Moon:

Chandrayaan-2 began its epic journey on July 22, 2019, with its launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III) rocket, India’s most potent launch vehicle at the time, successfully injected the spacecraft into Earth’s orbit. Over the course of several weeks, Chandrayaan-2 meticulously raised its orbit using onboard propulsion systems until it embarked on its trajectory to the Moon.

The Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover:

On September 7, 2019, after a journey of nearly 48 days, Chandrayaan-2 reached the Moon’s orbit. The subsequent separation of the Vikram Lander from the Orbiter marked a critical milestone in the mission. Vikram, named after Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space program, aimed for a precise landing near the lunar south pole. It carried the Pragyan Rover, which was designed to traverse the lunar surface and perform scientific experiments.

Setback and Achievements:

Unfortunately, during the final stages of the landing process, the Vikram Lander encountered challenges and had a hard landing on the lunar surface, just 2.1 kilometers above its intended touchdown point. Despite the setback, the Orbiter component of Chandrayaan-2 continued to function as planned, capturing valuable scientific data and transmitting high-resolution images of the lunar surface.

The Legacy and Future:

Chandrayaan-2, while encountering obstacles, remains a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey. The mission showcased ISRO’s technological prowess, scientific capabilities, and its commitment to pushing boundaries in lunar research. The data collected by the Orbiter and the lessons learned from the landing attempt laid the foundation for future lunar missions, including Chandrayaan-3.

The history of Chandrayaan-2 encompasses a remarkable story of ambition, perseverance, and scientific exploration. From its inception to the challenges faced during the landing, the mission represents India’s growing prowess in the field of space exploration. Chandrayaan-2 stands as a testament to the spirit of discovery and the dedication of the talented scientists and engineers at ISRO. As India continues to make strides in lunar research, the legacy of Chandrayaan-2 will undoubtedly shape future missions, unraveling the mysteries of the Moon and inspiring generations to come.