Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-2 is intact but in tilted position, efforts on by ISRO to restore contact

September 9: As per latest information from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Chandrayaan-2s Vikram lander has been found in the lunar surface in a single piece inspite of the hard landing it made. However, it was further added that Vikram’ lander, is presently lying on the moon’s surface in a tilted position after the hard landing.

An ISRO official associated with the mission said, “It had a hard landing very close to the planned touchdown site as per the images sent by orbiter’s camera. We are making all out efforts to see whether communication can be re-established.”

Meanwhile, M. Annadurai, the Director of India’s forst Moon mission Chandrayaan-1 said that the obstacles on the Moon’s surface may be stopping the Vikram lander from receiving signals.

On 8 September, ISRO Chief K Sivan announced that the exact location of Chandrayaan-2s Vikram lander has been found out. K Sivan said, “We’ve found the location of Vikram Lander on lunar surface and orbiter has clicked a thermal image of Lander. But there is no communication yet. We are trying to have contact. It will be communicated soon.”

Vikram lander had lost control with ground station 2.1 km from Moon’s surface on 7 September. After ISRO’s Mission Control Centre lost communication with the lander, there was a feeling of disappointment among the scientists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other noted persons, however, stood by ISRO and congratulated the organisation for the arduous effort. ISRO’s Mission Control Centre earler said that Vikram lander’s descent was as planned and normal up to the altitude of 2.1 km. Subsequently, communication from the lander to the ground stations was lost.

Also Read: ‘You have inspired us with your journey’: NASA praises ISRO

The 1,471-kg lander of Chandrayaan 2 — first Indian mission to explore the lunar terrain with home-grown technology — is named Vikram after Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space program. Chandrayaan 2’s 27-kg rover is a six-wheeled robotic vehicle named Pragyan, which translates to ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, and is housed inside the lander.