On this day, in 2019, Chandrayaan-2 took off amidst challenges and paved the path for Chandrayaan-3

Four years ago, on this day, India's premier space exploration organisation, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) embarked on the Chandrayaan-2 mission.

The goal? To deepen our understanding of the Moon's mysteries.

The mission aimed to scrutinize the lunar topography, mineral distribution, surface chemistry, and thermo-physical attributes of the topsoil, igniting anticipation worldwide.


Chandrayaan-2 - mounted on the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV Mk-III) - took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. After an impressive journey, the spacecraft attained the Moon's orbit on August 20, 2019, commencing orbital positioning maneuvers to enable a soft landing of the Vikram lander.

Named in honor of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the visionary founder of India's space program, the Vikram lander was designed for a gentle touchdown near the Moon's south pole, with the mission of deploying a robotic rover on the lunar terrain.

On September 7, 2019, as the planned landing day approached, ISRO faced a moment of tension when Vikram lost contact, a mere 335 meters away from the lunar surface during the "fine braking phase." Analysis later revealed that a software glitch had precipitated the mishap, rendering the soft landing a near-miss. Communications ceased when the lander was 2.1 km above the Moon's surface, marking a moment of setback for the unmanned mission.

Notwithstanding the last-minute adversity, Chandrayaan-2 demonstrated remarkable accomplishments, with all previous operations progressing seamlessly. The orbiter, a key component of the mission, continued its lunar study from above, diligently mapping topography, investigating mineralogy and elemental distribution, probing the lunar exosphere, and seeking evidence of hydroxyl and water ice. Expected to operate for seven years, the orbiter vowed to contribute invaluable data to enhance lunar scientific knowledge.

Chandrayaan-2 stands as a testament to India's scientific capabilities and unwavering dedication to unraveling the universe's enigmas. Despite the challenges encountered, ISRO harnessed the lessons from Chandrayaan-2 to meticulously prepare for its next lunar pursuit, the eagerly anticipated Chandrayaan-3 mission.

The resolute spirit of India's space exploration endures, and the world's gaze remains fixed on Chandrayaan-3, which now propels relentlessly through the cosmos, en route to the Moon, in pursuit of new frontiers.