Chandrayaan-2: The Pioneering Lunar Mission Launched on July 22, 2019

India proudly unveiled its ambitious lunar exploration program, Chandrayaan-2, on July 22, 2019. This groundbreaking mission marked a significant leap for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the nation’s capabilities in space exploration.

The Launch

The Chandrayaan-2 explorer was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, located in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, at 2:43 p.m. IST on July 22, 2019. The launch utilized the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk-III), a heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying spacecraft to the lunar orbit.

The Mission Overview

Chandrayaan-2 is an unmanned lunar mission aimed at exploring the moon. Key components of the mission include:

1. Orbiter

The orbiter will orbit the moon and act as a communication relay between the Earth and the lander. Equipped with various scientific instruments, the orbiter will conduct in-depth studies of the lunar surface, subsurface, and exosphere.

2. Lander (Vikram)

The lander, named Vikram after the late Indian aerospace engineer Mr. Vikram Sarabhai, is designed to touch down on the lunar surface. Its primary mission is to conduct detailed studies of the moon's geology and other scientific objectives.

3. Rover (Pragyan)

Pragyan, the name derived from Sanskrit, means ‘wisdom’. This robotic rover will explore the lunar surface, navigate autonomously, and conduct experiments. While the lander survives a few lunar days, the rover is designed to run on a solar-based power source, carrying advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to assist its operations.

Why the Launch on 22 July 2019?

The precise date and time of the launch were carefully chosen to align with the mission's objectives and to ensure optimal trajectory. Factors such as solar illumination, the state of the sun and the Earth-moon system, and the best angular alignment for communication systems all contributed to the decision to launch on July 22, 2019, at 2:43 p.m. IST.

How to Watch the Launch

To watch the live launch, interested spectators could register to witness it from the viewer’s gallery at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. However, due to high demand, registrations are now closed. ISRO and the Government of India have provided live streaming options:

Twitter: Follow ISRO's official Twitter page for live coverage. Facebook: The mission's official Facebook pages will stream the launch live. Doordarshan: The major national broadcaster, DD, will also live-stream the event on its YouTube channel, starting at 2:10 p.m.

For those without access to the internet, ISRO has also arranged for television broadcasts on Doordarshan channels. Viewers can expect to see real-time footage and progress updates from ISRO’s Mission Control Centre.

India’s Future in Space

This successful launch not only puts India on the map as a global player in space missions but also propels the nation closer to its goal of becoming a major space superpower. The journey of Chandrayaan-2 is just the beginning, with further missions and technologies in the pipeline to explore our solar system and beyond.

Conclusion

The Chandrayaan-2 mission is a testament to India's technological prowess and its ambition to push the boundaries of space exploration. This mission will undoubtedly pave the way for future lunar and planetary missions, contributing significantly to global scientific understanding.

India, Jai Hind!