Introduction to Vikram Lender
Vikram lander was a robotic spacecraft designed and developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a part of the Chandrayaan-2 mission to explore the lunar surface. The lander was named after Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai.
The Vikram lander was launched on 22 July 2019, along with the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. The lander was expected to make a soft landing on the lunar surface on 7 September 2019, in a high plain between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, in the south polar region of the Moon.
However, during the final stages of the descent, the communication link between the lander and the ground station was lost, and the lander crashed on the lunar surface. Despite the failure of the lander, the Chandrayaan-2 mission was considered a partial success, as the orbiter continues to provide valuable scientific data from its orbit around the Moon.
History and timeline of the Vikram lander
In August 2003, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) initiated the Chandrayaan-1 mission, with the aim of exploring the Moon. This was India’s first lunar mission.
The success of Chandrayaan-1 motivated the ISRO to plan a second lunar mission, which was named Chandrayaan-2.
The Vikram lander was designed and developed by the ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, India. The lander was named after Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai.
The Chandrayaan-2 mission was launched on 22 July 2019, aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.
The mission consisted of three components: the orbiter, the lander, and the rover. The Vikram lander carried the Pragyan rover.
After a successful launch, the spacecraft traveled for about 48 days before reaching the Moon’s orbit.
On 2 September 2019, the Vikram lander separated from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter and began its descent toward the lunar surface.
The descent was going according to plan until the last few moments when the communication link between the lander and the ground station was lost.
On 7 September 2019, the ISRO confirmed that the Vikram lander had crashed on the lunar surface and that the Pragyan rover had not been deployed.
Despite the failure of the lander, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter continues to function and provide valuable scientific data from its orbit around the Moon.
The ISRO has stated that it plans to attempt another soft landing on the lunar surface in the future.
Is Vikram lander successful in achieving its primary objective?
Unfortunately, the Vikram lander was not successful in achieving its primary objective of making a soft landing on the lunar surface.
Successful launch: The Vikram lander was launched on 22 July 2019, aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. The launch was successful and the spacecraft reached the Moon’s orbit.
Successful separation from the orbiter: On 2 September 2019, the Vikram lander successfully separated from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, and began its descent towards the lunar surface.
Autonomous navigation: During the descent, the lander autonomously navigated and avoided obstacles on the lunar surface, demonstrating the capability of the Indian space agency to develop advanced navigation systems.
Scientific instruments: The Vikram lander carried several scientific instruments, including a seismometer and a thermal profiler, which would have helped in understanding the geology and environment of the lunar surface.
Partial success of the mission: Despite the failure of the lander, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter continues to function and provide valuable scientific data from its orbit around the Moon. The orbiter is equipped with eight scientific instruments, which are studying the Moon’s surface, atmosphere, and exosphere.
Reasons for the failure of the Vikram lander
The exact reasons for the failure of the Vikram lander during its descent to the lunar surface are not yet known, but the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has identified some possible causes. Here are some of the factors that may have contributed to the failure:
- Communication loss: During the descent, the communication link between the lander and the ground station was lost, which prevented the ground controllers from receiving data about the lander’s status and controlling its trajectory.
- Navigation errors: The lander may have experienced some errors in its navigation system, which could have caused it to deviate from its planned trajectory and lose its balance.
- Engine failure: The engines on the lander may have failed to slow it down sufficiently during the final stages of the descent, causing it to crash onto the lunar surface at a high speed.
- Design limitations: The design of the lander may have had some limitations or weaknesses that were not identified during testing or were not adequately addressed.
- Operational issues: There may have been operational issues during the mission, such as human errors or technical glitches, that contributed to the failure.
ISRO conducted an investigation into the failure of the Vikram lander, and has stated that it has learned valuable lessons from the experience that will be applied to future missions. The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, which is still functioning and providing valuable scientific data, is considered a partial success of the mission.
Replacement for the Vikram lander
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has not announced a direct replacement for the Vikram lander, but it continues to pursue its lunar exploration goals through other missions and programs. Here are some of the ongoing and planned initiatives of ISRO related to lunar exploration:
- Chandrayaan-3 mission: ISRO is planning a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which will involve another lunar lander and rover. The Chandrayaan-3 mission was originally planned for 2020 but has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ISRO has not announced a new launch date for the mission.
- Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) program: ISRO has initiated a long-term program for the exploration and utilization of resources on the lunar polar regions. The program includes the development of technologies for landing, roving, and drilling on the Moon, as well as the study of the lunar geology and the potential for water and other resources.
- Space Habitat program: ISRO is also developing a program for the design and construction of habitats for human exploration and settlement on the Moon. The program involves collaborations with other national and international space agencies and organizations.
- Moon-based observatory: ISRO has proposed the development of a radio telescope on the Moon, which would take advantage of the Moon’s unique environment and lack of atmospheric interference to study the universe in new ways.
ISRO’s lunar exploration programs and initiatives demonstrate its commitment to advancing the understanding and utilization of the Moon for scientific and strategic purposes. While the Vikram lander was a setback for ISRO, the organization is moving forward with other missions and programs to achieve its goals.
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