New Delhi: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)’s Chandrayaan-3, launched on July 14, is in final stages with touchdown expected at 6.04 PM on Wednesday. Though the nation & citizens are excited & thrilled over soft landing of Vikram lander today, however, there is also a déjà vu moment as Chandrayaan-2 mission also failed in final stages.
It was in September 2019 that ISRO launched its historic lunar mission – Chandrayaan-2. Had it been a success, India would have joined the select league of nations – United States, Russia & China but the last hour glitches led to India missing the target by a whisker.
The scientists as well as citizens waited with bated breath while they kept constant vigil of the lander named Virkam and rover called Pragyan. But, the Chandrayaan-2 mission ended abruptly, enveloping the control room with sadness & gloom.
Chandryaan-2 had also specified target of landing on Moon’s South Polar region, much like the current one. The Chandrayaan-2 mission was progressing smoothly till its final descent on Sept 6, 2019. As the lander Vikram moved towards lunar surface, excitement & exuberance filled up the Moon Mission control room. Faces of scientists were lit up with joy as their long endeavor was set to create history. However, just about 2 kms above the lunar surface, it deviated from the specified course and the scientists lost touch with it.
Not just the ISRO scientists, the global science community was watching India’s tryst with history. However, as the communication with Vikram couldn’t be establishing despite agonizing wait, gloom set in the control room. Scientists wore a stressed look while the then ISRO chairman K Sivan was ‘devastated’.
Though, Chandrayaan-2 wavered in its final hours of touchdown, it did achieve many a things. It showed India’s prowess in space programs and served as stepping stone for next moon missions.
Today, as India remains glued to TV sets for watching Chandrayaan-3 landing attempt, the memory of India’s previous Moon Mission remains fresh in memory. Chandrayaan-2 Mission did set the stage for India’s Chandrayaan 3 mission.
