Space has intrigued, marvelled and perplexed the world and India for centuries. Mission Mangal, an upcoming film about India’s Mars Orbiter Mission is a testament of the country’s growing appetite and interest for space and it’s aura. Well, lucky for Indian space fans, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is about to create history once again!
Chandrayaan 2 is an Indian lunar mission that will boldly go where no country has ever gone before — the Moon’s south polar region. Through this effort, the aim is to improve our understanding of the Moon — discoveries that will benefit India and humanity as a whole. These insights and experiences aim at a paradigm shift in how lunar expeditions are approached for years to come — propelling further voyages into the farthest frontiers.
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. 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.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had approved Chandrayaan 2 lunar mission in 2008. The spacecraft will launch from Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota on the 15th of July and will land on the moon on 6th September. Being the first Indian mission to explore the lunar terrain with homegrown technology, Chandrayaan 2 is definitely a watershed moment in Indian space history. This makes us the 4th country ever to soft land on the lunar surface and we couldn’t be prouder of the tireless efforts of the scientific team. Here’s wishing ISRO all the very best!
If you enjoyed this article, we suggest you read: