What Happened to Chandrayaan 2 Vikram Lander? Who is Vikram Lander?
Updated Jul 14, 2023
Chandrayaan 2
Chandrayaan-2 is India's second lunar exploration mission developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is comprised of an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and the Pragyan rover.
Launched on 22 July 2019 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the spacecraft aimed to study the lunar surface composition and the presence of water on the Moon. After reaching the Moon's orbit on 20 August 2019, the lander began its descent toward the south-polar region of the Moon for a planned landing on 6 September 2019. However, a software glitch caused the lander to deviate from its intended trajectory, resulting in a crash.
Despite the unfortunate outcome of the landing attempt, Chandrayaan-2 provided valuable insights and information. It served as an important step in India's space exploration endeavors and showcased the nation's technological capabilities.
The mission's primary scientific objective was to map and analyze the variations in lunar surface composition and identify the location and abundance of lunar water. ISRO, determined to continue its lunar exploration efforts, is planning a subsequent landing mission called Chandrayaan-3, scheduled for 2023.
The lessons learned from Chandrayaan-2 will contribute to the development and success of future lunar missions, further advancing our understanding of the Moon and its resources.
What Happened to Chandrayaan 2 Vikram Lander?
During the Chandrayaan-2 mission, the Vikram lander, named after Vikram Sarabhai, experienced an unfortunate outcome. After detaching from the orbiter and descending to a low lunar orbit, it was intended to perform a soft landing on the lunar surface. The lander's main objective was to deploy the Pragyan rover and conduct scientific activities for approximately 14 Earth days.
However, during the landing attempt on 6 September 2019, Vikram deviated from its intended trajectory and crash-landed on the lunar surface. The crash occurred due to a software glitch that caused the lander to lose control and deviate from its planned landing trajectory. The precise cause of the glitch was identified in a failure analysis report submitted to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Despite the crash, the Vikram lander played a significant role in the Chandrayaan-2 mission. It was designed with a propulsion system consisting of eight thrusters for attitude control and five liquid main engines derived from ISRO's liquid apogee motor. The lander underwent preliminary configuration studies in 2013, and engineering models were extensively tested to ensure its functionality.
The lander's payload included various advanced technologies, such as high-resolution cameras, a laser altimeter (LASA), hazard detection and avoidance cameras, position detection cameras, attitude thrusters, Ka-band radio altimeters, a laser inertial reference and accelerometer package (LIRAP), and the necessary software to operate these components. These technologies were intended to aid in mapping the lunar surface and conducting scientific experiments.
The Vikram lander had specific design features to enhance its landing capabilities. It was built to land safely on slopes with an inclination of up to 12 degrees. The additional centrally mounted fixed-thrust engine was included to address the requirement of lunar orbiting and to mitigate the impact of lunar dust during the soft landing.
The lander's dimensions were approximately 2.54 m × 2 m × 1.2 m, and it had a combined mass of around 1,471 kg. It carried 845 kg of propellant and had a dry mass of 626 kg. The lander was designed to generate 650 watts of power and had a mission duration of up to 14 days, corresponding to one lunar day.
The crash of the Vikram lander was a setback for the Chandrayaan-2 mission, but it provided valuable lessons and insights for future lunar exploration endeavors. ISRO has since embarked on plans to launch Chandrayaan-3 in 2023, aiming to make another landing attempt on the Moon.
The knowledge gained from the Chandrayaan-2 mission, including the analysis of the Vikram lander's crash, will contribute to the continued development of India's space program and further advancements in lunar exploration.
Who is Vikram Lander?
Vikram Lander is the name given to the lander component of the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is named after Vikram Sarabhai, a prominent cosmic ray scientist widely recognized as the founding figure of the Indian space program.
The lander played a crucial role in the mission by attempting to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface and deploying the Pragyan rover for scientific exploration. With a total mass of approximately 1,471 kg, Vikram Lander was equipped with various propulsion systems, including thrusters and liquid main engines, to control its attitude and maneuver during descent.
It underwent rigorous engineering and configuration studies, incorporating advanced technologies such as high-resolution cameras, hazard detection and avoidance cameras, and position detection cameras. These instruments were designed to facilitate scientific observations and data collection during the planned 14-day mission duration.
Unfortunately, during the landing attempt on the Moon's surface, the Vikram Lander encountered a software glitch and crash-landed instead of achieving a successful soft landing.
Despite this setback, Vikram Lander remains a significant part of India's space exploration history, highlighting the nation's commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and exploration beyond Earth.
Chandrayaan 2 Design
Chandrayaan-2, the lunar mission undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was designed with meticulous planning and engineering. It consisted of three primary components: the orbiter, the lander named Vikram, and the Pragyan rover.
The mission was launched using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III) M1 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The orbiter, with a launch mass of approximately 2,379 kg, carries eight scientific instruments, including an improved version of the Orbiter High-Resolution Camera (OHRC) used in the previous Chandrayaan-1 mission.
It operates on a polar orbit at an altitude of 100 km around the Moon. The orbiter's structure was manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and delivered to the ISRO Satellite Centre.
The Vikram lander, named after renowned scientist Vikram Sarabhai, played a crucial role in the mission. It underwent extensive design and configuration studies, incorporating features such as eight thrusters for attitude control and five liquid main engines.
The lander was intended to perform a soft landing on the lunar surface, allowing for the deployment of the Pragyan rover. However, during the landing attempt, a software glitch caused the lander to deviate from its trajectory and crash-land on the Moon.
The overall design of Chandrayaan-2 demonstrated India's technological capabilities and commitment to lunar exploration. Despite the setback with the lander, the mission provided valuable insights and data for future endeavors.
The successful deployment and operation of the orbiter showcased India's advancements in space technology, as it continued to orbit the Moon and conduct scientific observations.
The mission's complex design and engineering, along with the extensive testing and preparations carried out, contributed to India's growing reputation in space exploration and paved the way for future missions, including Chandrayaan-3.
What Happened to Chandrayaan 2 Vikram Lander? - FAQs
Chandrayaan-2 is India's second lunar exploration mission developed by ISRO. It consists of an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and the Pragyan rover.
Chandrayaan-2 was launched on 22 July 2019.
The main objective of Chandrayaan-2 was to study the lunar surface composition and the presence of water on the Moon.
The Vikram lander, during its landing attempt, deviated from its trajectory and crash-landed on the lunar surface due to a software glitch.
Yes, ISRO is planning a subsequent landing mission called Chandrayaan-3, scheduled for 2023.