India's second moon mission Chandrayaan 2 did not go as per script due to loss of contact. This kind of incident has happened before, the scientist said - "Moon mission is still going on."
The second moon mission, Chandrayaan 2 of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is not over yet.
Vikram Lander was to make a soft landing on the moon's south pole. For the first 13 minutes, the journey of the lander was exactly as planned. But a few minutes before it landed on the moon, we lost contact with it.
According to the media reports it is expected that;
- The Vikram lander landed on the moon with excessive speed and crashed. That means the lander made a crash landing. or,
- The Vikram Lander made a soft landing on the moon. That is, it should be landed exactly as it was planned. But it lost contact with the ground station in the middle of the journey.
Although this is less likely to happen the major cause can only be known when the contact can be established again with the orbiter and the lander.
Mission will not end even with crash landing
According to scientists, It is not the first time when an object in the space lost contact with the ground. This has happened before also. If things go right then there is a possibility to established contact with that object again.
This has happened a few years ago with a satellite of ISRO. Even then the ground control contact with the satellite was lost. But after several attempts and manoeuvring, the contact was restored. It was found that the satellite was in its orbit.
Scientists said that even if Vikram Lander failed to make a soft landing on the moon, Chandrayaan 2's mission has not ended. Because much of this mission has to be done through the devices that are placed in the orbiter. It also includes the task of finding water on the moon. It is worth noting that Chandrayaan 2's orbiter is in perfect condition and is also in contact with the ground station.
While Lander and Rover were to work there for only 14 days. The research work to be done by them on the moon was also limited.
A retired ISRO scientist said, 'Mission in the language of science is still alive to a great extent. There is much more to be given to it. It is not over yet.
Also Read: Chandrayaan 2: Here are Some Facts about the Moon, which Everyone Should Know
Pragyan Rover Work
Two devices were installed in the rover 'Pragyan' whose job was to examine the elements of the lunar surface and to locate the various elements around the landing site.
Vikram Lander Work
The lander 'Vikram' has three devices. His work was to study the atmosphere of the moon, its temperature and thermal conductivity. A device of Vikram Lander also had to find out what is the status of seismic activity on the lunar surface on which it landed.