It will be exactly a fortnight from now when India’s second mission to moon, Chandrayaan-2 would be launched on July 15 by Indian Space Research Organisation. If it turns out to be successful, it would not only add a new feather in ISRO’s crown, but also be a monumental achievement in the country’s space exploration history as India will be the fourth country after Russia, USA and China to achieve the feat. And judging the significance and future ramifications, it can be said that countdown for ‘destination moon’ has started not only for ISRO alone, but for the entire nation too.

Chandrayaan-2 mission has been under much curiosity mainly because it will be actually landing on moon and that too near its south pole where no mission has attempted hitherto. This would be unlike Chandrayaan-1 launched in October 2008 which although played a crucial role in discovery of water molecules on lunar surface, involved orbiting the moon only. The much awaited launch would take place at 2.51 am from Sriharikota and after travelling in space for more than a month and a half, landing is scheduled on September 6 or 7. It will be having three crucial components - Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan) and the trio have been assigned to perform various experiments, including mapping of surface, minerals, chemical composition, detection of water molecules and exploring possible fossil records of early solar system. In a nutshell, it can be said that with its core aim of delivering great scientific insights and discovering the new and unravelling the mysteries of the universe, Chandrayaan-2 is going to be the most challenging, complex and sophisticated space exploration mission ever undertaken by any nation in the world.

But it will perhaps be the larger objective which is to motivate the youth of the country in inculcating a scientific temperament and develop the knack of research in science and technology, that is more important in the long run perspective. It is also a matter of pride to learn that majority of Chandrayaan-2’s components are designed and fabricated by citizens and scientists across the country with active involvement of the private sector also which contributed as much as 80 % of the total budget. Success of Chandrayaan-2 will also serve as an encouraging precursor to a more 'giant leap' named as Gaganyaan 2022 which will be an indigenous mission that would take Indian astronauts to space.

As a matter of fact, it would be appropriate to say that Chandrayaan-2 is going to be the launch pad for a more ‘Scientific India’ and pave way for the country to emerge as a star player in the global space industry market.  

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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