India’s second lunar expedition launched successfully from Sriharikota Space Centre today to much fanfare. While we’re lauding ISRO for the mission, it’s also important to know the facts about Chandrayaan-2. 

1. Chandrayaan-2 includes a lunar orbiter, lander and rover, all developed domestically.

It was launched to the Moon by Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III.

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2. The main scientific objective is to map the location of lunar water.

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3. It will also conduct complex topographical studies, and comprehensive mineralogical analysis. 

These studies will be performed by the lander, named ‘Vikram’ after Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, who was the force behind India’s emerging space programme. 

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4. It was actually supposed to launch on July 15, but this was delayed when a technical snag was discovered just before the final countdown.

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5. The payload will include terrain-mapping cameras as well as a host of other tech. 

The terrain mapping cameras will prepare a 3D map of the intended area. There’s also a collimated large array soft x-ray spectrometer to map the majority of major rock-forming elements. An orbiter high resolution camera will capture high-resolution images of the landing site and an imaging infrared spectrometer will identify minerals along with signatures of hydroxyl (OH) and water (H2O) molecules in polar regions. 

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6. The parts for Chandrayaan-2 were made by Bhubaneswar-based Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC).

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7. To test the rover (named Pragyaan) on a moon-like surface, soil from Salem in Tamil Nadu was used.

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8. If successful, Chandrayaan-2 will become the first spacecraft to land on the moon’s south polar region.

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9. Chandrayaan-2 cost just ₹978 crore. To put that in perspective, Avengers: Endgame cost ₹2,443 crore to make.

Let’s hope the mission is successful!