All you need to know about second lunar mission 'Chandrayan-2'

Chandrayaan-2, has three modules namely Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan).

NEW DELHI: On 22 October 2008, Indian Space Research Organization launched Chandrayaan-1, India's first planetary probe to the Moon. Now exactly after 10 years rolling through many unforeseen delays, India’s avid space mission to land a rover on Moon, Chandrayan-2 is scheduled to launch between July 9 and July 16. Ahead of its launch, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) finally unmasked the launch vehicle of the lunar mission on Wednesday. Chandrayaan-2, has three modules namely Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan). The lander named Vikram (meaning valour, after the father of the Indian space programme, Vikram Sarabhai). It will release a small robotic rover, named Pragyan (wisdom), to move around, feel and understand the lunar surface. The Orbiter and Lander modules will be interfaced mechanically and stacked together as an integrated module and accommodated inside the rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV MK-III). The Rover is housed inside the Lander. PICTURES: First Visuals of India's Second Lunar Mission 'Chandrayaan-2' Lander, Orbiter After launch into earthbound orbit by GSLV MK-III, the integrated module will reach the Moon orbit using Orbiter propulsion module. Subsequently, Lander will separate from the Orbiter and soft land at the predetermined site close to the lunar South Pole. Further, the Rover will roll out for carrying out scientific experiments on the lunar surface. Instruments are also mounted on Lander and Orbiter for carrying out scientific experiments, the ISRO said. G Madhavan Nair, the former ISRO chairman said India’s second lunar mission Chandrayan-2, will look for specific minerals on the surface of the moon. On elaborating about the Chandrayan-2 he said, “There were lot of complexities associated with this mission. Since the development of the system is complete, we are ready for the mission.” “More importantly, it is crucial to carry a rover and make it land on the surface of the moon and then move around for about 300-500 meters and collect samples from the surface of the moon” he further added. WATCH: First Visuals of India's Second Lunar Mission 'Chandrayaan-2'