ISRO's Plan to Soft Land on Moon Fails to go as Per Script

Bengaluru: ISRO's plan to soft land Chandrayaan-2's Vikram module on the Lunar surface did not go as per script in the early hours of Saturday, with the lander losing communication with ground stations during its final descent.

The "terrifying 15 minute" complex landing process, which commenced with a lot of expectation, tinged with a sense of jubilation was going on well till the successful rough braking phase which was marked by rounds of applause.

When the top Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists, including its chief K Sivan looked glum soon after the subsequent fine braking phase commenced, it was the first indication that all was not well.       

Scientists led by Sivan went into a huddle and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was tracking the progress was briefed on the development and a sombre mood enveloped the Mission Operations Complex at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and

Command Network (ISTRAC) here which quickly led to dejection; all in a span of about half an hour after the process began.

Later, Sivan made the announcement that communication was lost with the lander, while Modi boosted the morale of the scientists asking them not to lose hope.

Vikram lander descent was as planned and normal performance was observed up to an altitude of 2.1 km. Subsequently, communication from the lander to ground stations was lost, ISRO Chairman K Sivan said, his voice choking.

"The data is being analysed", he added at the ISTRAC here as disappointment writ large on the faces of ISRO scientists.

Modi, who flew into Bengaluru on Friday night to watch the planned touchdown of Vikram, told ISRO scientists not to get dejected and disheartened and said the country was proud of them.

"I see disappointment on your faces. No need to get dejected. We have learnt a lot," Modi said. "These are moments to be courageous, and courageous we will be! We remain hopeful and will continue working hard on our space programme".

For ISRO the "15 minutes of terror" arrived as the powered descent of the lander began at around 1.38 am.

"This is a very complex process and it is new for us. ...We are doing this for the first time, so it will be 15 minutes of terror for us," Sivan had said earlier.

The Vikram Lander

The 1,471-kg 'Vikram', named after Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, father of the Indian space programme, was designed to execute a soft landing on the lunar surface, and to function for one lunar day, which is equivalent to about 14 earth days.   

The lander carried three scientific payloads to conduct surface and sub-surface science experiments.

 'Vikram' was to perform a series of complex braking manoeuvres to soft land in the South polar region of the Moon between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, on Saturday.

It successfully completed the rough braking phase but lost communication with the ground stations during the fine braking phase, according to ISRO.    

The rover Pragyan', housed in Vikram, was to roll down from the lander explore the surrounding lunar terrain, a few hours after the planned soft-landing. 

The unmanned Chandrayaan-2 mission, a follow-on to the Chandrayaan-1 venture launched more than a decade ago, comprises an orbiter, lander (Vikram) and rover (Pragyan).  

The mission life of the orbiter will be one year while that of the lander and rover was to be one lunar day which is equal to 14 earth days.

A successful touchdown would have made India the fourth country after Russia, the US and China to achieve a soft landing on the moon, and the first to launch a mission to the unexplored south polar region.

The Chandrayaan-2 is a Rs 978 crore unmanned moon mission (satellite cost Rs 603 crore, GSLV MK III cost Rs 375 crore).

Leaders Across Parties Hail ISRO Scientists

In Delhi, leaders across political parties on Saturday hailed the dedication and passion of ISRO scientists, urging them not to be disheartened after Chandrayaan-2's Vikram lander lost contact with ground stations minutes before its planned touchdown on the lunar surface.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi lauded the ISRO scientists for their "incredible work" on the Chandrayaan 2. He said the scientists have laid foundation for more path breaking and ambitious space missions in future.

"Your passion & dedication is an inspiration to every Indian. Your work is not in vain. It has laid the foundation for many more path breaking & ambitious Indian space missions," Gandhi tweeted.

 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath said the entire nation is proud of the scientists.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged scientists not to lose heart.  "We are proud of our scientists. They have created history. No need to lose heart. Our scientists have done a great job. Jai Hind!"

CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury expressed confidence that the next steps will "more satisfying".

 "The history of our scientific milestones has shown us how the fight and struggle has been continuous. Bravo that ISRO and our scientists got us so far," he tweeted.