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IN PICTURES | For India, by India: Chandrayaan-2 lifts off to the moon

Chandrayaan-2, India's most ambitious second lunar mission, will shed light on a completely unexplored section of the Moon -- its South Polar region.
As the world watched, the 43 metres tall Baahubali rocket with a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes blasted-off from the second launch pad at 2.43 pm on 22 July from Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)
As the world watched, the 43 metres tall Baahubali rocket with a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes blasted-off from the second launch pad at 2.43 pm on 22 July from Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)
TNIE online desk
Updated on: 
1 min read
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III – India’s most powerful launch vehicle has integrated modules, which comprises technology and software developed across the country. The successful lift off on 22nd July also added a feather to the cap of Salem Steel Plant in Tamil Nadu, which developed the coat of armour for the engine. (Photo | PTI)
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III – India’s most powerful launch vehicle has integrated modules, which comprises technology and software developed across the country. The successful lift off on 22nd July also added a feather to the cap of Salem Steel Plant in Tamil Nadu, which developed the coat of armour for the engine. (Photo | PTI)
The lander would separate from the Orbiter on Day 43, or September 2, and could continue to hang around the moon for another few days in a lower orbit and land on September 6-7. (Photo | EPS)
The lander would separate from the Orbiter on Day 43, or September 2, and could continue to hang around the moon for another few days in a lower orbit and land on September 6-7. (Photo | EPS)
The lander is designed to execute India's first soft landing on the lunar surface. It is designed to function for one lunar day, which is equivalent to about 14 Earth days. Vikram has the capability to communicate with Indian Deep Space Network as well as with the orbiter and the rover.
The lander is designed to execute India's first soft landing on the lunar surface. It is designed to function for one lunar day, which is equivalent to about 14 Earth days. Vikram has the capability to communicate with Indian Deep Space Network as well as with the orbiter and the rover.
The mission life of the orbiter is one year and it will observe the lunar surface, relay communication between Earth's IDSN and Chandrayaan 2's Lander — Vikram. (Photo | ISRO website)
The mission life of the orbiter is one year and it will observe the lunar surface, relay communication between Earth's IDSN and Chandrayaan 2's Lander — Vikram. (Photo | ISRO website)
Chandrayaan-2's rover is a six-wheeled robotic vehicle that can travel up to 500 metres and leverages solar energy for its functioning. Pragyan will roll out and carry out experiments on Lunar surface for a period of 1 Lunar day which is equal to 14 Earth days. (Photo | ISRO website)
Chandrayaan-2's rover is a six-wheeled robotic vehicle that can travel up to 500 metres and leverages solar energy for its functioning. Pragyan will roll out and carry out experiments on Lunar surface for a period of 1 Lunar day which is equal to 14 Earth days. (Photo | ISRO website)
As the Moon's location is continuously changing due to orbital motion, the intersection of Chandrayaan-2 and the Moon's path has to be predicted sufficiently in advance with a high level of accuracy. The lander and rover should also deal with extreme temperature variations because one lunar day or night lasts 14 Earth days and there is vacuum because of the ambient pressure of the lunar surface. And to have done this all in a budget less than what’s required for a Hollywood movie, is a feat reserved only for the Indian minds. (Photo | PTI)
As the Moon's location is continuously changing due to orbital motion, the intersection of Chandrayaan-2 and the Moon's path has to be predicted sufficiently in advance with a high level of accuracy. The lander and rover should also deal with extreme temperature variations because one lunar day or night lasts 14 Earth days and there is vacuum because of the ambient pressure of the lunar surface. And to have done this all in a budget less than what’s required for a Hollywood movie, is a feat reserved only for the Indian minds. (Photo | PTI)
ISRO
Chandrayaan-2
lunar mission
India space mission

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