Chandrayaan 2 landing- ‘Vikram may have landed on moon, let’s wait for analysis’, says former Isro chief

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Updated: Jun 27, 2020 07:14 IST

Former Indian Spacer Research Organisation (ISRO) Director D Sasikumar on Saturday said that there was no need to feel disheartened as the communication loss with “Vikram” lander may not have been due to crash-landing.

“We have to find out from the communication data whether it is a soft landing or it is a crash landing. In my opinion, it is not a crash landing because the communication channel is on between the lander and the orbiter. It should be intact. So, let us hope after the analysis done, we may be able to get the final figure,” he said, reports ANI

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The Vikram lander was supposed to land on the south pole of the moon between 1:30 am to 2:30 am on the intervening night of Friday-Saturday. This would have been followed by rover (Pragyan) roll-out between 5:30 am to 6:30 am. Minutes before touchdown, Isro lost contact with lander Vikram.

Earlier, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a tweet, “normal performance was observed up to an altitude of 2.1 km. Subsequently, communication from Lander to the ground stations was lost. Data is being analyzed.”

The Vikram Lander successfully separated from Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter on September 2. The Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter continues to orbit the Moon.

After revolving around the Earth’s orbit for nearly 23 days, the craft began its journey to the moon on August 14.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking to the scientists, said they should not be disheartened and should look towards a new dawn. “There will be a new dawn and brighter tomorrow very soon,” he said in an address from the Isro control centre.

Modi hailed India’s scientist and assured them that they had the support of the entire country.

“To our scientist I want to say India is with you. You are exceptional professionals who have made an incredible contribution to national progress,” he said.