Chandrayaan-2 launch highlights : In leap for ISRO, India launches lunar mission

India on Monday successfully launched its second moon mission Chandrayaan-2 from its most powerful rocket with a plan to land the rover on September 7 in the unexplored lunar south pole, exactly a week after the liftoff was aborted due to a technical snag.

Carrying a "billion dreams" in a giant leap for the country's ambitious low-cost space programme, the most complex and prestigious mission ever undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO), if successful, will also make India the fourth country after Russia, the US and China to pull off a soft landing on the moon.

"We bounced back in flying colours after the earlier technical snag. Success is coming after a call-off," said a beaming and visibly relieved ISRO Chairman K Sivan at the mission control room of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, about 100 km from Chennai, as scientists broke into cheers, shook hands and exchanged greetings.

Watch the launch of Chandrayaan 2 by GSLV MkIII-M1 Vehicle here.

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NASA on Monday congratulated its Indian counterpart ISRO on the successful launch of its second moon mission Chandrayaan-2 and said it was looking forward to know what the Indian space agency learns about the lunar south pole.

The Rajya Sabha on Monday lauded the achievement of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other scientists for successful launch of Chandrayaan-II.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, who was joined by all the members in congratulating the scientists, said that the feat had enhanced the country's pride and confidence. Further, it represents a golden chapter in the history of not only the development of science and technology in India but the country itself, he added.

Parliament congratulates scientists on Chandrayaan-2 launch

Parliament on Monday congratulated ISRO scientists for the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2, saying the achievement represents a golden chapter in the country's history.

Informing members about the launch, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the country has shown its space prowess with the mission.

Chandrayaan 2: HRD encourages students to take up courses in aerospace engineering

Lauding the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2, the HRD Ministry on Monday encouraged students to take up careers in aerospace engineering and said its 'Swayam' portal will offer online courses on the subject from July 29.

Karnataka assembly congratulates ISRO on successful launch of Chandrayaan-2

The Karnataka assembly Monday congratulated ISRO scientists for the successful launch of its second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameswara read out the message, congratulating ISRO for its achievement during the crucial debate on the confidencemotion moved by chief minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Members welcomed the announcement by thumping their desks.

We bounced back with flying colours: ISRO chief Sivan on Chandrayaan-2 launch

Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday saluted ISRO and its scientists for the successful launch of the second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2.





-Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal tweets, "Congratulations to ISRO scientists for the successful launch of Chandrayaan2. The country is proud of the historic achievement of our scientists."

-The Congress Party congratulated Team ISRO for the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2. The party said it is a "good time to remember the visionary move of India's first PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru" and "Dr Manmohan Singh for sanctioning the Chandrayan2 project in 2008."

-Isro yet again accomplished a mammoth feat: Akshay Kumar

-Sushma Swaraj salutes Isro after Chandrayaan-2 launch

-Shah Rukh Khan congratulates ‘Team Isro’ on Chandrayaan-2

Amit Shah: Grateful nation proud of ISRO scientists

I congratulate our scientists at ISRO for the successful launch of #Chandrayaan2 and setting yet another benchmark in the field of space technology. A grateful nation is proud of them. I also thank PM Modi ji for encouraging our institutions for setting new standards everytime.

-Ram Nath Kovind : May ISRO continue to master new technologies

The historic launch of Chandrayaan-2 from Sriharikota is a proud moment for all Indians. Congratulations to our scientists and engineers for furthering India's indigenous space programme. May ISRO continue to master new technologies, and continue to conquer new frontiers

-Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulates Isro scientists

Congratulations to ISRO scientists on flawless launching of #Chandrayaan2 from Sriharikota. Team ISRO scripted a new chapter in India’s space history with the launch of this ambitious and indigenous Mission to Moon. The nation is extremely proud of its scientists and Team ISRO.

-Chandrayaan-2 is unique: PM Modi

Chandrayaan-2 is unique because it will explore and perform studies on the South Pole region of lunar terrain which is not explored and sampled by any past mission. This mission will offer new knowledge about the Moon.

-Rajya Sabha Chairman & Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Chandrayaan-2 launch

Chandrayaan-2 has been successfully launched. I extend my heartiest congratulations to our countrymen on this momentous achievement. Our scientists deserve a special compliment, their achievement has enhanced country's pride.

-PM Modi tweets every Indian is immensely proud today

In other tweet, PM Modi tweeted, "Efforts such as #Chandrayaan2 will further encourage our bright youngsters towards science, top quality research and innovation. Thanks to Chandrayaan, India’s Lunar Programme will get a substantial boost. Our existing knowledge of the Moon will be significantly enhanced."

-After a technical snag, we bounced back with flying colours, said Isro chief Dr K Sivan, saluting the team who made the mission possible.

-Indian Space Research Organisation Chief K Sivan and other scientists celebrate after GSLVMkIII-M1 successfully injects Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft into earth orbit

-Isro chief K Sivan: I'm extremely happy to announce that the GSLVMkIII-M1 successfully injected Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft into Earth Orbit. It is the beginning of a historic journey of India towards moon & to land at a place near South Pole to carry out scientific experiments.

-Some live visuals here

-Here's the view of Chandrayaan- 2 separation

-Nirmala Sitharaman congratulates the entire team

"Congratulations on #Chandrayaan2. Compliments to the entire team," tweeted Nirmala Sitharaman

-Piyush Goyal congratulates the ambitious team of moon mission

“Many congratulations to ISRO and its women led team that made the ambitious moon mission #Chandrayaan2 launch a reality, “ tweeted Union minister Piyush Goyal.

-GSLV-MkIII lifts-off from Sriharikota carrying Chandrayaan-2

-Within the next 17 minutes of the launch from the space port in Sriharikota, the rocket would be injected to the Earth Parking Orbit (170 x 40,400 km). It would revolve around the earth for a period of around 23 days, after which a series of manoeuvres would be carried out to prepare it for ‘lunar capture’. The exercise could take up to five days.

-Once injected into the lunar orbit, the Chandryaan-2 module consisting of the orbiter, Lander Vikram and Rover Pragyaan would revolve around the moon for around 12 days.

-The landing would be attempted on the 48th day of the mission on September 7, when Lander Vikram would separate from the orbiter and begin what has been hailed as ‘the most terrifying 15 minutes’ of the mission.

-During the next 15 minutes, the Lander Vikram would attempt a soft landing at an identified site between the two craters on the south pole of the moon. Following a successful landing, Rover Pragyaan would roll down the platform and begin mapping the lunar surface.

-It is the first time that a spacecrafts indigenously developed by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) would set foot on the lunar soil- a feat only achieved by three nations so far including US, Russia and China.

-The historic Chandrayaan-2 aims to explore the south pole of the moon- a part of moon which has not been mapped by any other country before.

-September landing is crucial since it marks the beginning of the 14-daylight period on the moon, which is crucial for conducting experiments by the solar-powered Lander and Rover.

-In tweets, ISRO said it had completed the fuelling the liquid core stage of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (GSLV Mk 3) rocket.

-ISRO chief K Sivan had said that Chandrayaan-2 will perform 15 crucial manoeuvres in the days to come. Sivan said that all the preparatory works regarding the launch have been completed and technical snags that developed in the first attempt have been rectified.

-ISRO had successfully completed the launch rehearsal of the Chandrayaan-2 mission on Saturday. The Chandrayaan-2 was scheduled to be launched on July 15. However, less than an hour before the launch, the mission was aborted after a technical snag was detected.

-ISRO Chief said that Chandrayaan-2 will be landing on the moon very slowly. "It will land on the South Pole. There is a lot of scientific testing to be done regarding the mission. Scientists around the world are looking forward to the launch," said Sivan. It will be the first Indian expedition to attempt a soft landing on the lunar surface. This mission will make India the fourth country after the US, Russia, and China to carry out a soft landing on Moon.

-Thousands of people from across the country, including students have registered to watch the launch from the spaceport- Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, where a special gallery has been made for the launch.

The GSLV-Mk III rocket with Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft was originally scheduled for flight at 2.51 am on 15 July. However, the flight was postponed after a technical snag was detected an hour prior to the rocket lift-off. The ISRO later rectified the fault in its 44-metre Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV-Mk III).

About 16-minutes into its flight, the ₹375-crore GSLV-Mk III rocket is expected to sling the ₹603-crore Chandrayaan-2 into its 170x40400-km orbit.

ISRO has sent up three GSLV-Mk III rockets so far. The first carried Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment in December 2014. The second and third GSLV-Mk III carried communication satellites GSAT-19 and GSAT-29 in February 2017 and November 2018 respectively.

GSLV-Mk III will also be used for India's manned space mission in 2022.