Chandrayaan 2

Chandrayaan 2
Question: A revised launch window of Chandrayaan 2 was updated recently. What is the time period as set in the window for its launch?
(a) June 5 to July 15
(b) June 5 to July 16
(c) June 5 to July 5
(d) June 5 to June 30
Answer: (b)
Related facts:
  • India’s much awaited lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 has got yet another launch window.
  • The mission is now set to be launched at any time between July 5 and July 16 2019.
  • The moon landing is likely to be around September 6, 2019 after two months of its launch.
  • The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) planned to launch the mission last year in April but the launch got late.
  • The mission would land on the southern pole of the moon, which has not been explored much before by any of the countries.
  • This landing would be historically significant giving ISRO the opportunity to name that site on the moon.

Chandrayaan 2 Mission:

  • The Chandrayaan 2 weighs around 3290 kgs. It is a fully indigenous project.
  • It would be launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
  • The mission will orbit around the moon and carry out remote sensing of the moon.
  • Chandrayaan-2, India’s second lunar mission, has three modules namely Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) & Rover (Pragyan).
  • The Orbiter and Lander modules will be interfaced mechanically and stacked together as an integrated module and accommodated inside the GSLV MK-III launch vehicle.
  • The Rover is housed inside the Lander.
  • After launch into earth bound orbit by GSLV MK-III, the integrated module will reach Moon orbit using Orbiter propulsion module.
  • Subsequently, Lander will separate from the Orbiter and soft land at the predetermined site close to lunar South Pole. Further, the Rover will roll out for carrying out scientific experiments on the lunar surface.
  • Instruments are also mounted on Lander and Orbiter for carrying out scientific experiments.

Global plans:

  • The lunar South Pole is supposed to contain ice and other minerals, and international space expedition plans are tying up with NASA planning to land astronauts there by 2024.
  • Neighbour China has reportedly planned to build a scientific research station on the lunar South Pole within the next decade.

Links:

https://www.livemint.com/science/news/india-set-to-launch-second-mission-to-the-moon-chandrayaan-2-in-july-says-isro-1556727487403.html

https://www.isro.gov.in/update/01-may-2019/press-release-chandrayaan-2

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/second-lunar-mission-chandrayaan-2-to-be-launched-in-july/article27003022.ece