‘Feats are under control as planned’, ISRO chief sighs on proposed soft landing of ‘Vikram’ module

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Bengluru: Ahead of the Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram module’s proposed soft landing on the Lunar surface, ISRO Chairman K Sivan on Friday assured that the things were progressing as per plan for the much-awaited event.

“We are eagerly waiting for the event. Certainly there is lot of anxiety in the minds of the entire (Chandrayaan-2) team because it’s a very complex operation and we are doing it for the first time. Everything so far is going according to the plan”, Sivan said while addressing the forum.

The touch down of Vikram lander is scheduled between 1.30 am and 2.30 am on September 7, followed by the rollout of rover Pragyan between 5.30 am and 6.30 am. Describing the soft-landing as almost like placing a baby on the cradle, Sivan said that although there is certain amount of anxiety, there is no fear in the minds of the ISRO team.

The 1,471-kg ‘Vikram’, named after Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, father of the Indian space programme, is 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 carries three scientific payloads to conduct surface and sub-surface science experiments, while the rover carries two payloads to enhance our understanding of the lunar surface,” according to ISRO.

The health of the spacecraft, being continuously monitored from the Mission Operations Complex at ISTRAC here with support from Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) antennas at Bylalu, near Bengaluru, the orbiter carries eight scientific payloads for mapping the lunar surface and study the outer atmosphere of the Moon.