Chandrayaan-2’s launch put on hold, ISRO to announce next date soon

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) called off India’s second mission to the moon Chandrayaan-2 minutes before the early Monday morning scheduled launch.

A revised launch date for the mission would be announced later, said the national space agency in a Twitter post.

“A technical snag was observed in launch vehicle system at 1 hour before the launch. As a measure of abundant precaution, #Chandrayaan2 launch has been called off for today. Revised launch date will be announced later,” read the tweet.

The Chandrayaan-2 mission comes nearly 11 years after India’s first expedition to the moon in October 2008 which was successful in providing the evidence of water molecules on the lunar surface.

The mission was originally scheduled for launch at 2:51 am on Monday from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

While all preparations were done, with the filling of liquid hydrogen and oxygen in the launch vehicle completed, the launch was put on hold around 2:30 am.

ISRO has chosen one of its most powerful rockets — GSLV Mark III — M1 for the mission. In a first for India, ISRO will deposit a lander and rover on the surface of the Moon on 6 September 2019.

The scientific experiments will be conducted on the lunar surface for 14 Earth days (1 Lunar day) by the Lander and Rover. The Orbiter will be operational for a year.

One of the primary objectives is to demonstrate the ability to soft-land on the lunar surface. Among the mission’s other scientific objectives are experiments to map the Moon’s surface, its mineral and element content, moonquakes and signatures of water-ice on the lunar surface.

Abha Boyal

Abha has taste of years in journalism and writing. She is known to elaborate her findings in a vibrant way. With writing as her incredible skill, Abha also enjoys exploring new places. She stays focused on whatever she does and this makes her an all rounder.

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