Space scientists exude confidence, as Vikram hours away from landing on moon

  • If India achieves success, it will become the first country in the world to make a soft landing near the south pole of the moon
  • Hundreds of scientists from various research centres have gathered at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network, Peenya in Bengaluru to watch the historic moment

Srishti Choudhary
Published6 Sep 2019, 11:13 PM IST
In this 20 August file photo, ISRO Chairman K Sivan displays a model of Chanrayaan 2 orbiter and rover during a press conference in Bengaluru (Photo; PTI)
In this 20 August file photo, ISRO Chairman K Sivan displays a model of Chanrayaan 2 orbiter and rover during a press conference in Bengaluru (Photo; PTI)

New Delhi: With Lander Vikram only hours away from attempting a soft landing on the moon, scientists from various space research centres say that they are confident about the success of the mission.

"Everything has been simulated and tested. We are confident. Even though the success rate of moon landing is low, but our competency is more. We will definitely land," said one of the scientists Vilas Rathore, who is spacecraft manager for Cartosat satellites, which are part of India's Remote Sensing Programme.

Hundreds of scientists from various research centres have gathered at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Peenya in Bengaluru to watch Chandrayaan-2 attempt a historic soft landing on the moon.

The mission is on path to create a record for India in the global space expeditions, by exploring a part of the moon which has not been explored by any other country before - the south pole.


"Lot of technology demonstrations have taken place, since India first visited the moon in 2008. We are much more confident this time," said T. Shankar, Deputy Manager at the Bengaluru Ground Station.

It is also the first time that a space mission is being led by two women scientists - Mission Director Ritu Karidhal and Project Director Muthayya Vanitha.

"It is a proud moment for us. But, every mission has always been a team effort. There is no gender-based classification," said junior engineer K. Swarooprani from Bengaluru.

"Once the power descent starts, everything would be automated. There would not be any ground control. The entire exercise would completed in 15 minutes. We are excited and confident. We will be able to do it," said another senior scientist Neesha, who is manager of Bangalore Ground Station, which is responsible for tracking the satellites and provide telemetry data and check the onboard parametres.

The crucial powered descent would begin at 1:40 am on Saturday, when Lander Vikram would be closest to the moon. If India achieves success it will become the first country in the world to make a soft landing near the south pole of the moon.

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First Published:6 Sep 2019, 11:13 PM IST
Business NewsScienceNewsSpace scientists exude confidence, as Vikram hours away from landing on moon

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