Landing of Chandrayaan-2 under suspense after all communications with lander Vikram lost
First Published: 7th September, 2019 16:26 IST
In a huge disappointment, ISRO lost all communications with the Lander Vikram of Chandrayaan-2, minutes before touchdown while the nation eagerly awaited its soft landing on the hitherto unexplored lunar
In a huge disappointment, ISRO lost all communications with the Lander Vikram of Chandrayaan-2, minutes before touchdown while the nation eagerly awaited its soft landing on the hitherto unexplored lunar South Pole in the wee hours of Saturday.
Communication lost with #VikramLander at 2.1 km from Lunar surface, data being analysed, says ISRO Chief K Sivan.#Chandrayaan2Landing pic.twitter.com/knx4h0yWK5
— Northeast Live (@NELiveTV) September 6, 2019
As the powered descent of the lander began at around 1:38 am, scientists at ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network were glued to their terminals in anxiety.
#Chandrayaan2Landing | Delay in touchdown; #ISRO awaits signal from #VikramLander. pic.twitter.com/EdPh7uoJam
— Northeast Live (@NELiveTV) September 6, 2019
As the lander began the 15 minute autonomous descent, the time period the chairman of ISRO K Sivan referred to as 15 terrifying minutes, it passed a major hurdle called the ‘rough braking phase’, which is the descent from a height of 30 km to around 2.1 km before the ‘fine braking phase’ started. Soon after, the lander suddenly lost all contact with the ground station.
Faces started turning pale as the scientists got into a huddle. ISRO Chairman K Sivan was seen engaged in intense discussions with fellow project engineers.
Vikram Lander minutes away from touching the lunar surface.
Rough breaking of #VikramLander ends and fine braking phase starts.#Chandrayaan2Landing pic.twitter.com/H6EYangkQi— Northeast Live (@NELiveTV) September 6, 2019
#Chandrayaan2Landing | Scientists at #ISRO monitor, as #VikramLander begins its descent on the south pole of the moon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also present.(ANI) pic.twitter.com/Rpznb7xfzD
— Northeast Live (@NELiveTV) September 6, 2019
Soon after, the ISRO Chief announced that the descent of the lander was as planned and normal performance was observed up to altitude of 2.1 km. But subsequently, communications between the lander and ground station was lost, he said, adding that the data was being analyzed.
The status of Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram Lander will be known definitively only when ISRO makes a formal announcement.
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Truckers in Senapati go on strike
21st February 2024Live Arunachal: TADCDC protest demanding Tirap Autonomous District Council
21st February 2024Live All languages need to be nurtured: Tripura CM Manik Saha
21st February 2024Live Class 12 exams begin in violence-hit Manipur, CM extends best wishes to student
21st February 2024WE RECOMMEND
France confers ‘Francophone’ Shashi Tharoor with highest civilian honour
Tharoor was conferred with honour by Chairman of the French Senate Gerard Larcher, at an event in French Residence
21st February 2024St Stephen’s college ‘suspends’ over 100 students for not attending morning assembly
The students and teachers have written to Principal John Varghese, urging him to immediately withdraw the order of suspension of students from college
20th February 2024‘Peace Home’ opened at Raj Bhavan as temporary shelter for Sandeshkhali victims
West Bengal's Sandeshkhali area has been witnessing massive unrest for over 10 days as women protestors are seeking justice against alleged atrocities committed by TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan and his aides.
20th February 2024PM Modi to launch multiple development projects worth over Rs 32,000 cr in Jammu today
According to the Prime Minister's Office, the projects relate to several sectors, including health, education, rail, road, aviation, petroleum, and civic infrastructure, among others.
20th February 2024Anush Agarwalla gets first ever Paris Olympics quota in Dressage for India
Agarwalla, who won an individual bronze in Hangzhou, was allotted the quota on the basis of his performance in four FEI events
20th February 2024