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BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation ( Isro ) on Wednesday said it is looking to launch Chandrayaan-2, India’s second lunar mission in the launch window between July 9 and July 16, even as sources said that a lot of work is still pending.

“All the modules are getting ready for Chandrayaan-2 launch during the window of July 09, to July 16, 2019, with an expected Moon landing on September 06, 2019,” Isro said in a statement shared with TOI.

Chandrayaan-2 has three modules: the Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) & Rover ( Pragyan ). “The Orbiter and Lander modules will be interfaced mechanically and stacked together as an integrated module and accommodated inside the GSLV MK-III launch vehicle . The Rover is housed inside the Lander,” Isro said.

TOI had reported earlier that Isro missed the deadlines last year and one in the first month of this year because the space agency had to accommodate multiple changes after the change in design. Also, the qualification model of the lander (Vikram) had suffered damages during a test further delaying the launch, as first reported by TOI.

“After launch into earth bound orbit by the GSLV MK-III, the integrated module will reach the lunar orbit using Orbiter propulsion module. Subsequently, the Lander will separate from the Orbiter and soft land at the predetermined site close to lunar South Pole,” Isro said.

Further, the space agency said that the Rover will roll out for carrying out scientific experiments on the lunar surface. “Instruments are also mounted on Lander and Orbiter for carrying out scientific experiments,” Isro said.

