At 2 am yesterday, the entire nation watched their television screens with bated breath to witness Chandrayaan-2 create history with its soft landing on the south pole side of the mood. Chandrayaan-2 is India’s complex mission to the south pole side of the Moon. But alas, just moments before the soft landing, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) lost communication with the Vikram Lander of Chandrayaan-2. The Vikram Lander was just around 2.1 km away from the lunar surface on its final descent when the communication was lost. There are speculations going on whether the Vikram Lander crashed or if it’s a communication glitch.
Hope Is Not Lost
The status of the Vikram Lander, India’s moon lander is not known yet. But according to an ISRO official, only 5% of the mission is lost. The remaining 95% of the mission is intact as the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter is successfully orbiting the moon. The orbiter can take several pictures of the moon and send it to ISRO during its mission life of one year.
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At the time being, the exemplary scientists of ISRO and the entire nation is devastated. ISRO Chairman, K Sivan was consoled by Prime Minister Modi, after he broke down on the setback of the Vikram Lander. PM Modi motivated the ISRO scientists to not feel disheartened by the setback. He saluted the ISRO scientists for their immense contribution towards India’s space missions and asserted on a ‘new dawn’.
Nevertheless, the entire nation is proud of ISRO and we look forward to their spectacular space missions in the future.