Lunar Module of Chandrayaan-2 enters Lunar Orbit

The Lunar module of the 2nd Indian space mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-2 has entered the Lunar orbit. This information was shared by India’s premier space agency and the main project coordinator of the project, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

What has happened?

• The ISRO announced that the lunar module of the Chandrayaan-2 is now in lunar orbit and is holding position in an elevation 114*18072 km orbit.
• The lunar module also comprises of the lander Vikram which will then separate from the orbiter and land on the lunar surface after performing a set of complex braking maneuvers.
• The lunar orbiter however still has to undergo more procedures before letting the lander land on the pole of the moon.
• The orbiter Vikram has been named as such in the memory of Late Vikram Sarabhai, who was one of the main guiding lights of the ISRO.

About Chandrayaan-2

• Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second mission to the moon after the success of its initial Chandrayaan-1 mission.
• The mission is being continuously monitored using advanced spacecraft health tracking systems at the Mission Operations Complex at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network in Bengaluru.
• The communications between the spacecraft and the ground station have been established with the support of Indian Deep Space Network antennas which are located near Bengaluru.