Chandrayaan 2: The Signal Loss Mystery and Its Implications

Chandrayaan 2, a comprehensive and ambitious lunar mission launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has taken the scientific community by storm. However, the mission's final descent phase has been marred by a significant and unexpected issue: the loss of signal from the lander Vikram.

Understanding the Mission and its Achievements

The Chandrayaan 2 mission is a major milestone for India and marks its entry into the league of lunar space exploration. The orbiter, which remains operational and continues to fulfill its mission, is equipped with a suite of scientific instruments such as the High-Resolution Imaging Experiment (HI-SEM), which has contributed immensely to our understanding of the lunar surface. Despite the trauma caused by the loss of signal from the lander Vikram, ISRO's Chief, S. Somanath, has

What Happened During the Final Descent?

The final braking phase of Vikram's powered descent from an altitude of 2.1 km saw a significant deviation from the expected trajectory. The reported descent trajectory showed that the lander deviated sharply from its intended path, leading to a final blip at an altitude of around 400 meters.

Despite the sophisticated technology designed to ensure a smooth landing, it appears that Vikram encountered an obstacle, which caused it to lose contact with the control room at ISRO. It was during this final descent phase that Vikram and its rover, Pragyan, went silent, only to be spotted by ISRO after initial speculation of a crash landing.

ISRO's Response and Future Plans

The failure of the lander Vikram to establish communication was a significant blow to the mission's objectives. However, ISRO has not given up hope and is actively seeking to establish contact with Vikram. NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) is now assisting in this effort, a development that offers a glimmer of hope for ISRO to recover valuable data from the lander.

K. V. Somanath, the chairman of ISRO, has provided some reassurance, stating that the lander Vikram is expected to be intact and safe. The lander was equipped with solar-powered batteries and was designed to operate for the duration of one lunar day, which is approximately 14 Earth days. Given that the sun was setting at the landing site, it is believed that Vikram has entered a state of hibernation, awaiting daylight to potentially establish communication.

Lessons Learned and Future Missions

The Chandrayaan 2 mission, while it has not achieved its full objectives due to the loss of the lander, has undoubtedly provided invaluable data and insight into the lunar surface. The experience gained from this mission will be invaluable for future lunar missions, both by ISRO and other national space agencies.

The failure of Vikram highlights the complexities and challenges of lunar landings, which require meticulous planning, advanced technology, and robust backup systems. The lessons learned from the Chandrayaan 2 mission are crucial for advancing our understanding of lunar conditions and developing more reliable landing systems for future missions.

In conclusion, the Chandrayaan 2 mission, despite its setbacks, has demonstrated India's significant progress in space technology and scientific exploration. The continued work of ISRO and the support from collaborating agencies like NASA will no doubt pave the way for future successes in lunar and space exploration.