Chandrayaan-2 is India's second lunar exploration mission after Chandrayaan-1 developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) .
For the first time in the history of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), two women will head the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
- Ritu Kridhal and M Vanitha are leading as project and mission directors respectively for Chandrayaan-2 mission.
WHY ARE WE GOING TO MOON
OBJECTIVES OF CHANDRAYAAN-2 :
- To demonstrate the ability to soft-land on the lunar surface and operate a robotic rover on the surface
- Quantify the water available on the moon’s surface.
- Map its topography, to explore chemicals and minerals such as magnesium, iron, and Helium.
- Study topmost part of the lunar atmosphere.
CHANDRAYAAN-2 COMPONENTS :
- Launcher – The GSLV Mk-III is India’s most powerful launcher to date and has been completely designed and fabricated from within the country.
- Orbiter – The Orbiter will observe the lunar surface and relay communication between Earth and Chandrayaan 2’s Lander — Vikram.
- Lander – The lander called ‘Vikram’ is designed to execute India’s first soft landing on the lunar surface. ‘Vikram’ is named after the space luminary, Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, who spearheaded India’s nascent space programme.
- Rover – The rover is a 6-wheeled, AI-powered vehicle named Pragyan, which translates to ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit. The Rover can travel up to 500 meters (half a kilometre) from the landing spot on the moon.
Why to explore the Lunar South Pole
Evidence of water molecules — discovered by Chandrayaan 1 — and the extent of its distribution on the lunar surface and sub-surface also require further studies.
The lunar South Pole is especially interesting because a larger section of its surface stays in the shadow than the North Pole. There is a possibility of the presence of water in permanently shadowed areas around it. In addition, the south polar region has craters that are cold traps, containing a fossilised record of the early Solar System.
Chandrayaan 2 will use the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover to attempt a soft landing in a high plain between two craters — Manzinus C and Simpelius N — at a latitude of about 70° south.
SIGNIFICANCE
- 1st space mission to conduct a soft landing on the Moon's south polar region
- 1st Indian expedition to attempt a soft landing on the lunar surface with home-grown technology
- 1st Indian mission to explore the lunar terrain with home-grown technology
- 4th country ever to soft land on the lunar surface
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