India's polar moon mission puts Chandrayaan-2 in the history books
Source: CNN
India's polar moon mission puts Chandrayaan-2 in the history books
By Manveena Suri and Swati Gupta, CNN
Updated 0651 GMT (1451 HKT) September 5, 2019
(CNN) — India is one step closer to achieving its space superpower ambitions. If the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission successfully touches down on Friday, the country will join the United States, China and the former Soviet Union in an elite club of nations that have made a soft landing on the moon.
And if all goes to plan, India will become the second country after China to explore the far side of the moon. The mission, operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was launched last month. After more than 45 days it is scheduled to land a rover on the lunar surface on September 7.
"This mission has proved beyond doubt, once again, that when it comes to attempting an endeavour in new age, cutting edge areas, with innovative zeal, our scientists are second to none. They are the best ... they are world class," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a radio address in July.
The Chandrayaan-2, which means "moon vehicle" in Sanskrit, took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota in southern Andhra Pradesh on July 22. Weighing 3.8 tons and carrying 13 payloads, it has three elements: lunar orbiter, lander and rover.
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Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/04/world/india-moon-lunar-chandrayaan-2-explainer-scn/index.html
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