Chandrayaan 2 Landing highlights: PM Narendra Modi says India stands in solidarity with ISRO scientists

tech2 News StaffSep 07, 2019 09:02:45 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed ISRO scientists at the ISRO Control Centre

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highlights

08:28 (IST)
PM Narendra Modi: The learning from today will make us stronger and better
08:18 (IST)
PM said that India stands in solidarity with our scientists
03:52 (IST)
Let's hope the Vikram lander hasn't met the same fate the Israel's Beresheet mission did last year ! That's all for now, folks! Looks like we're going to have to wait a little longer to hear more.
03:13 (IST)
Here's another theory about the lander's status from YouTube star/gamer/programmer/astrophysicist Scott Manley
03:11 (IST)
Announcement from ISRO coming in Unfortunately, it isn't about the lander. The planned post-landing press conference has been cancelled.
02:30 (IST)
An astronomer offers a compelling theory for what could have happened.
02:25 (IST)
PM Modi give Dr K Sivan the 'I'll be proud of you either way' pat before addressing the anxious crowd. Whatever has been accomplished so far is no small feat — it's an incredible serve to scientists, to the world, says Narendra Modi. Our (larger) mission will continue whether we get good or bad news, he added.
02:19 (IST)
What we know for sure so far "Vikram lander's descent was planned and decsent was normal till 2.1 km. After this, communication link between the lander and ground station was lost. ISRO is currently analysing the data," announced the ISRO chairman. We saw the speed of descent was a little unexpected, as it seemed to speed up as it lost altitude. That's the deviation we saw on the graph.
02:08 (IST)
Communication between the lander & orbiter has been switched on That'll help keep the orbiter listening for any signal the lander may throw its way. Doesn't change the fact that ISRO is yet to confirm the status of the landing module.
02:01 (IST)
The room is getting restless at ISRO's command centre. As the lander reached within a kilometre, communication appears to have stalled and ISRO's command centre is still waiting to hear from Chandrayaan 2's mission control.
01:56 (IST)
It's not time to worry yet. ISRO is waiting for updates from mission control.
01:54 (IST)
Vertical descent next The fine breaking phase has now ended, with less than 5 minutes and 2.7 kilometres to go till touchdown!
01:45 (IST)
Lander module slowing down further by the end of the rough breaking phase. Almost towards the end of the descent, the lander is now moving at speeds less than 60 mps, with the intention of soft-landing on the surface at 0 mps.
01:42 (IST)
"Brute" breaking underway 2 minutes and 20 seconds into the descent, the lander is expected to reduce the speed of the spacecraft with brute force, by 480 metres per second.
01:39 (IST)
Descent begins! The descent has now begun! Four of the module’s propulsion engines will be used in this first 'rough braking'.
01:27 (IST)
Prime Minister of India in the house! Modi appears to have reached the control room. (and just in time too! 10 minutes to descent.)
01:20 (IST)
Update on the Chandrayaan 2 orbiter The orbiter, which weighed 2,370 kg at the time of launch, gets 70% of its mass from fuel. It carried ~1,680 kgs of fuel for the road, and to make in-orbit adjustments over its year-long mission.
01:07 (IST)
ISRO's livestream is now a-go!
00:23 (IST)
On the 15 mins of Terror: How scary is this, really? (2/2) NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger: In this case of the Moon, there is no atmosphere. So, the Rover and Lander (modules) have to decelerate from a speed which roughly 25-30 times that of the fastest aircraft on land. If you are on the rover, you won't hear anything as there is vacuum of space there. So it's a kind of freaky wow kind of thing, to bring the lander down from that speed. It is well thought out and it's very autonomous.
23:57 (IST)
NASA astronaut and space analyst Jerry Linenger weighs in on what the landing means for the world! "I just want everyone to know that the whole world is following this and it is not just Indians. This is the first time any country is going to the South Pole of the Moon!" says Linenger on Nat Geo's live stream. "India is leading this and as a representative of the US, we are nervous and we are hoping for success. This increases the knowledge base of the Moon"
22:51 (IST)
Important timestamps to note for tonight's Vikram Lander touchdown 01.38 am: Start of landing module's rough braking and descent 01.48 am: Start of landing module's fine braking and descent 01.50 am: Start of local navigation around the landing site 01.52 am: First image of the Moon's surface to be beamed back to Earth 01.53 am: Vikram touchdown 03.53 am: Pragyan ramp deployment 04.23 am: Pragyan rover powers ON! 05.03 am: Solar panels on Pragyan rover are deployed 05.19 am: Pragyan Rover rolls on down to the moon's surface 05.29 am: Pragyan Rover touchdown! 05.45 am: Photograph of the Vikram lander by Pragyan
22:42 (IST)
Set your alarms for 1.10 am Just as a reminder, ISRO's live video stream of the landing will begin at 1.10 am. The livestream will be available at this link .
22:17 (IST)
Anticipation & excitement from ISRO's control room right now is palpable!
21:40 (IST)
Selfie with a GSLV MkIII? Check! It's a few years too soon till you and I can snap moon selfies on the moon, but in the meanwhile, we've got a mighty GSLV MkIII you put on your desk, on your lap, next to your cat, ot wherever else you want it. Head here to take it for a spin: https://www.firstpost.com/tech/chandrayaan-2
21:29 (IST)
What expected over the next few hours? The Vikram lander is currently in a low orbit around the moon, gearing up for its final 15-minute flight to the surface of the moon. The actual landing will be fully-automated, and is planned for 1.40-1.55 am tonight. The last leg of its descent will be unpowered – led by the moon's gravity and no engines. This is to ensure that the lander doesn't kick up a massive plume of dust. Dust can interfere with instruments and reduce the efficiency of the solar panels. Once a set of internal diagnostics are run, the rover Pragyan will exit the lander some four hours later, between 5.30 am and 6.30 am on the morning tomorrow. We know what comes next, right? #MoonSelfiiiiiiiieeeeeeeees!
21:20 (IST)
Pragyan Rover: All you need to know Pragyan is the third component of the Chandrayaan 2 mission. It is a robotic vehicle that will traverse the lunar surface on six wheels that are painted in the colours of the tiranga. It is expected to travel at a speed of one centimetre per second and will hence travel a total distance of half a kilometre. The rover is powered by solar energy and will spend a total of 14 Earth days carrying out its scientific experiments. Read more about the Pragyan Rover.
21:16 (IST)
Vikram Lander: All you need to know The Vikram Lander is a module that will enable the delivery of the Pragyan Rover to the lunar surface while conducting a few experiments of its own. The rover will roll out once the lander has successfully landed at the desired spot. It also consists of several instruments or payloads that will be constantly carrying out experiments throughout its mission time. It’s named ‘Vikram’ to honour the late Dr Vikram Sarabhai, who was the former chairman of ISRO and is widely regarded as the ‘Father of the Indian Space Programme’. Read more about the Vikram Lander.
21:08 (IST)
From liftoff to landing, the Chandrayaan 2 mission featured 7 "orbit-lowering" manoeuvres, which were critical to its success. Why were those necessary? In-orbit manoeuvres are critically important – somewhat like breaks in a car. These breaks themselves are called liquid apogee motors (which go by "thrusters" in scifi). These tiny, powerful motors were fired up to adjust the altitude of the spacecraft and its speed while already in orbit. https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/chandrayaan-2-to-enter-an-orbit-around-the-moon-today-two-weeks-before-planned-soft-landing-7185031.html
20:49 (IST)
Chandrayaan 2 is show of India's potential, but there's still work that needs doing in India's space scene. A solid rethink of India's engineering education will benefit the space program immensely, according to some experts. https://www.firstpost.com/india/chandrayaan-2-shows-indias-potential-but-we-need-to-make-it-the-kennedy-moment-for-our-engineering-education-6973581.html
20:48 (IST)
Chandrayaan 2 is one of many interplanetary missions in ISRO's (near-future) pipeline... Among the destinations are Mars, the Moon, Venus, the Sun's corona, there's even an interplanetary mission planned to study the "space" between cosmic bodies itself! https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/after-chandrayaan-2-isros-upcoming-interplanetary-missions-to-mars-venus-the-sun-6664441.html
18:39 (IST)
Your weight on the moon is 1/6th of that on the Earth! The Moon's surface gravity is weaker because it is far less massive than Earth. That is why planets such as Jupiter and Saturn have such a strong gravitational force due to their giant size.
16:57 (IST)
Timeline of successful Moon missions Since Apollo 11 back in 1969 there have been several manned and unmanned missions to the moon. India's own Chandrayaan 1 was operational for 10 months.
16:51 (IST)
Nat Geo ropes in astronaut, space analyst Jerry Linenger to showcase Chandrayaan 2 soft-landing Former NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger, who spent five months in the orbiting Russian space station Mir before it was decommissioned, says that India's contribution towards space exploration over the years has been instrumental in unravelling some great discoveries in space science. You can check out the Nat Geo link here on Hotstar.
15:24 (IST)
Glitch in the road The original date of the launch was postponed by a week after ISRO scientists found technical fault in a fuel connecting joint in the GSLV-MKIII rocket. But that did not deter them, ISRO made a few changes and off it went. You need to read more about it, i assure you. https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/chandrayaan-2-many-changes-made-to-flight-plan-to-ensure-7-september-landing-on-the-moon-7026751.html
12:34 (IST)
Chandrayaan 2 Lander's soft-landing will use a new configuration & means of operating thrusters Separation from orbiter isn't a crucial part of the mission. For the Vikram lander to land softly in a controlled manner, and will use a new technique, with throttlable control over the engine's thrusters. This is something ISRO is attempting for the first time, says the chairman.
10:59 (IST)
Did you know? One day on the Moon lasts as long as 29.5 Earth days.
10:31 (IST)
While a successful landing will make the entire nation proud and will be commendable on ISRO's part, Narendra Modi said it will be a "befitting tribute to Dr Sarabhai". https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/vikram-lander-reaching-the-moon-will-be-befitting-tribute-to-dr-sarabhai-from-crores-of-indians-says-narendra-modi-7152301.html
09:40 (IST)
The main function of the Vikram lander is to carry the rover to the moon. But it will also conduct a few experiments of its own. You can read all about the lander and its duties here .
09:14 (IST)
You definitely want to watch Vikram land on the moon LIVE and be a part of India's historic moment. Read on to find out how you can do that. https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/chandrayaan-2-landing-live-when-and-where-to-watch-the-soft-landing-from-isros-control-room-7294151.html

08:28 (IST)
PM Narendra Modi: The learning from today will make us stronger and better
PM Narendra Modi: There will be a new dawn and a brighter tomorrow very soon. There is no failure in science, only experiment and efforts #Chandrayaan2 pic.twitter.com/yvyfTSCMAX
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2019
08:18 (IST)
PM said that India stands in solidarity with our scientists
PM Narendra Modi: We will rise to the occasion and reach even newer heights of success. To our scientists I want to say- India is with you. You are exceptional professionals who have made an incredible contribution to national progress. #Chandrayaan2 pic.twitter.com/U9TlYOJceQ
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2019
08:07 (IST)
Here's where you can watch Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the ISRO Control Centre
Watch Live: Honorable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi Addressing the Nation https://t.co/SAGMyi1Nkp
— ISRO (@isro) September 7, 2019
08:06 (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is here at the ISRO Control Centre
08:04 (IST)
Simulation from the Chandrayaan 2 command centre when the Vikram Lander began experiencing turbulence

https://www.firstpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Turbulence.mp4
04:34 (IST)
PM Modi to address the nation at 8 am today

Modi will address the nation from the ISRO Control Centre in Bengaluru at 8 am.
#ISRO
Honorable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi will address the nation from ISRO Control Centre today (September 07, 2019) at 0800 hrs IST.@PMOIndia @narendramodi
— ISRO (@isro) September 6, 2019
03:52 (IST)
Let's hope the Vikram lander hasn't met the same fate the Israel's Beresheet mission did last year!

That's all for now, folks! Looks like we're going to have to wait a little longer to hear more.
03:13 (IST)
Here's another theory about the lander's status from YouTube star/gamer/programmer/astrophysicist Scott Manley

Looking at the numbers on the screen - 58m/s at 330m up - I don't believer Vikram had the TWR to stop in time from that situation. pic.twitter.com/ms3yPq2kci
— Scott Manley (@DJSnM) September 6, 2019
03:11 (IST)
Announcement from ISRO coming in

Unfortunately, it isn't about the lander. The planned post-landing press conference has been cancelled.
02:31 (IST)
Life is full of ups and downs - Modi to scientists

While the lander module does appear to have crashed, Modi urges scientists not to lose hope.
Country is proud of you. I am with you, move ahead with courage. I wish you All the Best, says PM Narendra Modi to ISRO scientists#Chandrayaan2 pic.twitter.com/WQPOnutd80
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) 6 September 2019
02:30 (IST)
An astronomer offers a compelling theory for what could have happened.
Tonight we're using the Dwingeloo @radiotelescoop to track the landing of the @isro #Chandrayaan2Live Vikram lander on the surface of the Moon. The lander just reappeared from behind the Moon and locked on to the Madrid telescope of the @dsn_status network. pic.twitter.com/nUCzyKHqaX
— Cees Bassa (@cgbassa) September 6, 2019
02:25 (IST)
PM Modi give Dr K Sivan the 'I'll be proud of you either way' pat before addressing the anxious crowd.

Whatever has been accomplished so far is no small feat — it's an incredible serve to scientists, to the world, says Narendra Modi.

Our (larger) mission will continue whether we get good or bad news, he added.
02:19 (IST)
What we know for sure so far

"Vikram lander's descent was planned and decsent was normal till 2.1 km. After this, communication link between the lander and ground station was lost. ISRO is currently analysing the data," announced the ISRO chairman.

We saw the speed of descent was a little unexpected, as it seemed to speed up as it lost altitude. That's the deviation we saw on the graph.
02:08 (IST)
Communication between the lander & orbiter has been switched on

That'll help keep the orbiter listening for any signal the lander may throw its way. Doesn't change the fact that ISRO is yet to confirm the status of the landing module.
02:03 (IST)
None of the important faces here look happy here.

*deep breath*
02:01 (IST)
The room is getting restless at ISRO's command centre.

As the lander reached within a kilometre, communication appears to have stalled and ISRO's command centre is still waiting to hear from Chandrayaan 2's mission control.
01:56 (IST)
It's not time to worry yet.

ISRO is waiting for updates from mission control.
01:54 (IST)
Vertical descent next

The fine breaking phase has now ended, with less than 5 minutes and 2.7 kilometres to go till touchdown!
01:45 (IST)
Lander module slowing down further by the end of the rough breaking phase.

Almost towards the end of the descent, the lander is now moving at speeds less than 60 mps, with the intention of soft-landing on the surface at 0 mps.
01:42 (IST)
"Brute" breaking underway

2 minutes and 20 seconds into the descent, the lander is expected to reduce the speed of the spacecraft with brute force, by 480 metres per second.
01:39 (IST)
Descent begins!

The descent has now begun! Four of the module’s propulsion engines will be used in this first 'rough braking'.
01:38 (IST)
Applause erupts as the timer inches towards 00:00!
01:36 (IST)
Under 3 minutes to go before first leg of the landing module's descent.
01:27 (IST)
Prime Minister of India in the house! Modi appears to have reached the control room.

(and just in time too! 10 minutes to descent.)
01:20 (IST)
Update on the Chandrayaan 2 orbiter

The orbiter, which weighed 2,370 kg at the time of launch, gets 70% of its mass from fuel. It carried ~1,680 kgs of fuel for the road, and to make in-orbit adjustments over its year-long mission.
01:17 (IST)
Scenes from the control centre

Here are some images from the heart of ISRO's control centre in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Scientists gear up for the soft landing of Vikram lander on the South Pole region of the moon. 60 students from across the country, who were selected through the ISRO's 'Space Quiz' competition to watch the landing along with PM Modi, also present at the ISRO centre. pic.twitter.com/0UXdQwdAqm
— ANI (@ANI) 6 September 2019
01:16 (IST)
As Chandrayaan 2 mission engineers run final checks and monitor the lander, viewing gallery is filling up!
01:07 (IST)
ISRO's livestream is now a-go!
01:06 (IST)
What has been the most significant Moon mission for NASA?

NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger: Apollo 11 landing with Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins was fantastic! The Apollo 12 mission was good as well. But I think the most significant Moon mission for the US was Apollo 13. We didn't make it to the Moon then. On the way, we had an issue in the tank, part of the spacecraft that got blown out.

But then we saw human ingenuity take over and keeping calm and working the problem in real time, getting all the astronauts back to Earth safely. It was probably NASA's greatest moment, as things didn't go according to plan but we were still able to get humans back to Earth.
00:57 (IST)
We're digging this Chandrayaan 2-inspired Tintin cover!
00:52 (IST)
GSLV-MkIII has a lot to do with making the Chandrayaan 2 & Gaganyaan missions a reality

ISRO developed the GSLV MkIII with limited resources, limited cooperation from the world at large, strife from within, and a budget (of INR 160 Crores) that many space agencies would laugh at. This is nothing short of enviable. Here's how ISRO's heaviest rocket compares to some of the best in the world.
00:23 (IST)
On the 15 mins of Terror: How scary is this, really? (2/2)

NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger: In this case of the Moon, there is no atmosphere. So, the Rover and Lander (modules) have to decelerate from a speed which roughly 25-30 times that of the fastest aircraft on land. If you are on the rover, you won't hear anything as there is vacuum of space there.

So it's a kind of freaky wow kind of thing, to bring the lander down from that speed. It is well thought out and it's very autonomous.
00:21 (IST)
On the 15 mins of Terror: How scary is this, really? (1/2)

NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger: It's the critical part! I am reminded of my own coming back from the orbit, when we were going at Mach 25, which is 25 times the speed of sound. When you are entering the Earth's atmosphere when the friction is high, so that's our 45 minutes of terror. We have to hit the runway at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, at a speed of 225 knots! But you have the atmosphere and friction to slow you down.
00:16 (IST)
From a bullock cart to the moon: A (very) brief history of ISRO

All India Radio has put together a short clip that talks about ISRO's journey from its inception several decades ago.
#ISRO has always given billions of Indians a reason to cheer !!! From Arya Bhatta to #Chandrayaan2: The @isro Journey pic.twitter.com/pZ9ThMpT30
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) September 6, 2019
00:12 (IST)
When we look down on Earth, we realise that we are all one: NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger

Speaking about how space missions are unifying and aspirational, "I was with two Russian cosmonauts for five months. When we look down on Earth, we realise that we are all one. We have the same aspiration. We have the same humanness in us and we just want to move the mankind forward."
23:57 (IST)
NASA astronaut and space analyst Jerry Linenger weighs in on what the landing means for the world!

"I just want everyone to know that the whole world is following this and it is not just Indians. This is the first time any country is going to the South Pole of the Moon!" says Linenger on Nat Geo's live stream. "India is leading this and as a representative of the US, we are nervous and we are hoping for success. This increases the knowledge base of the Moon"
23:50 (IST)
ISRO confirms that the broadcast will start at 1.15 am

Don't forget to tune in, folks!
Less than 3 hours to go !
Watch the live telecast from 1:15 AM IST on our website https://t.co/H6xiSf2TIP and on DD National.
Live streaming also available on:
Youtube: https://t.co/xzjitfLyHz, Facebook: https://t.co/zugXQAGoNq pic.twitter.com/8wQ1LL6nYA
— ISRO (@isro) September 6, 2019
23:43 (IST)
Jeff Bezos sends his best!

"Rooting for team India. Good luck, India! #Chandrayaan2," he tweeted.
Rooting for team India. Good luck, India! #chandrayaan2 https://t.co/iWWSqPs4nz
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) September 6, 2019
23:10 (IST)
What can we expect from the Chandrayaan 2 over the next 24 hrs?

Tech2 Science reporter Kavya Narayanan gives you all the dope on what to expect tonight, including what Dr K Sivan means by '15 minutes of terror'

What can we expect from the #Chandrayaan2 over the next 24 hrs? With no live help at hand, it will attempt its tricky 15-min descent starting 1.40 am. Here's what will happen before, during, and after touchdown. #Chandrayaan2Landing #Chandrayaan2Live pic.twitter.com/Bvy9YwTfcU
— Tech2 (@tech2eets) September 6, 2019
22:51 (IST)
Important timestamps to note for tonight's Vikram Lander touchdown

01.38 am: Start of landing module's rough braking and descent

01.48 am: Start of landing module's fine braking and descent

01.50 am: Start of local navigation around the landing site

01.52 am: First image of the Moon's surface to be beamed back to Earth

01.53 am: Vikram touchdown

03.53 am: Pragyan ramp deployment

04.23 am: Pragyan rover powers ON!

05.03 am: Solar panels on Pragyan rover are deployed

05.19 am: Pragyan Rover rolls on down to the moon's surface

05.29 am: Pragyan Rover touchdown!

05.45 am: Photograph of the Vikram lander by Pragyan
22:47 (IST)
A breakdown of the landing process

This visual nicely explains the entire landing process, which is expected to start at 1.53 am.
The Soviet Union, the United States and China are the only three countries to have successfully soft-landed on the moon. India is on track to join that select club with #chandrayaan2. More here: https://t.co/wnmPR4dJTT via @ReutersGraphics pic.twitter.com/kj002xWhVH
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) September 6, 2019
22:42 (IST)
Set your alarms for 1.10 am

Just as a reminder, ISRO's live video stream of the landing will begin at 1.10 am. The livestream will be available at this link.
22:38 (IST)
Three hours to go for the Vikram Lander touchdown

CNBC TV18 is live at the ISRO Tracking Centre with the latest updates

#Chandrayaan2 is set to attempt an unprecedented landing on the Moon's south pole in just a few hours from now. @MugdhaCNBCTV18 joins in #Live from the @isro headquarters in Bengaluru https://t.co/rkeDfMhlRX
— CNBC-TV18 News (@CNBCTV18News) September 6, 2019
22:17 (IST)
Anticipation & excitement from ISRO's control room right now is palpable!
The final descent of #Chandrayaan2 to take place on the Lunar South Pole, tonight. #Visuals from ISRO Monitoring Centre in Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/dZTcjmkg6G
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2019
22:14 (IST)
What do we know about the Pragyan rover?

The Pragyan rover will leave the comfort of the Lander module at around 5.30 am tomorrow morning. The rover has a mission life of 14 Earth days (one Lunar day) and is expected to travel about 500 m over the course of those days. The two primary scientific instruments aboard Pragyan will study the mineral and chemical composition of the moon. It will also look for traces of water in the permanently shadowed regions of the moon.

Nobody's been to the moon's south pole before and scientists are hoping that given its pristine nature, there might be clues to what the solar system was like in its early years.
21:50 (IST)
PM Modi is in Bengaluru

Narendra Modi has landed at Bengaluru airport and is heading to the ISRO launch facility.
Karnataka: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Bengaluru Airport; received by CM BS Yeddiyurappa. He will reach ISRO centre in Bengaluru tonight ahead of landing of #Chandrayaan2 on the moon. pic.twitter.com/Bc9RngfjPl
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2019
21:40 (IST)
Selfie with a GSLV MkIII? Check!

It's a few years too soon till you and I can snap moon selfies on the moon, but in the meanwhile, we've got a mighty GSLV MkIII you put on your desk, on your lap, next to your cat, ot wherever else you want it.

Head here to take it for a spin: https://www.firstpost.com/tech/chandrayaan-2
If you thought you wouldn't be seeing the #GSLVMkIII materialise right before your very eyes today, think again... & then head on over to our AR feature to put @ISRO's heaviest rocket on your lap, desk, floor or anywhere else. We're hooked! #Chandrayaan2TheMoon pic.twitter.com/kaqYowThI9
— Tech2 (@tech2eets) July 12, 2019
21:35 (IST)
Renowned sand-artist Sudarsan Pattnaik shared his wishes for Chandrayaan 2 in true sand-art style. We're loving it!
Wishing #HappyLanding #Chandrayaan2 #IndiaCreatingHistory My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha with messege #JaiVigyan #JaiBharat 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/IWbOpViCRT
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) September 6, 2019
21:33 (IST)
"Experience of working for Chandrayaan 2 was very delightful" says scientist Nirbhay Kumar Upadhyay

The excitement before the touchdown is palpable among the scientists who have worked on India's second Moon mission.

Nirbhay Kumar Upadhyay, the Scientist who was part of #Chandrayaan2 mission: Experience of working for #Chandrayaan2 was very delightful, the seniors are very helpful. It was a great learning experience, we are very excited. Tomorrow, we will hear that India has made history. pic.twitter.com/8tLa2xnzpq
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2019
21:29 (IST)
What expected over the next few hours?

The Vikram lander is currently in a low orbit around the moon, gearing up for its final 15-minute flight to the surface of the moon. The actual landing will be fully-automated, and is planned for 1.40-1.55 am tonight.

The last leg of its descent will be unpowered – led by the moon's gravity and no engines. This is to ensure that the lander doesn't kick up a massive plume of dust. Dust can interfere with instruments and reduce the efficiency of the solar panels.

Once a set of internal diagnostics are run, the rover Pragyan will exit the lander some four hours later, between 5.30 am and 6.30 am on the morning tomorrow.

We know what comes next, right?
#MoonSelfiiiiiiiieeeeeeeees!

Chandrayaan 2 landing date and time, news, latest updates: K Sivan confirms that lander was operating normally till about 2.1 km from the moon's surface. Communication with the landing module has since been lost. Data from Vikram's descent is being analysed by the Chandrayaan 2 mission control team at ISRO for clues to the lander's location, and its health.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was at the ISRO centre in Bengaluru, joined by 60 children from all over the country that took part in ISRO's space quiz from August. They won the opportunity to witness the soft-landing of the Vikram Lander on the moon along with the PM of India. Modi has also been tracking Chandrayaan's progress over the past month and wanted everyone to witness this historic moment in Indian history.

This was India's second mission to the moon, but its first attempt at soft-land on the moon. The lander Vikram was expected to make its final descent by 1.55 am on 7 September. ISRO's chairperson K Sivan had described this as the most "terrifying" 15 minutes of the entire mission.

Chandrayaan 2 composite orbiting the moon before the lander's separation. Image: ISRO

The (surprising) underdog in these final hours, the mission's orbiter, is still healthy, ISRO confirmed. With a mission life of one year, the orbiter will orbit the moon and map the surface.

Some experts think the landing module didn't survive the landing, and might have crash-landed. But there's still no official word from ISRO about the lander's status.

This is the full Doppler curve, showing the #Chandrayaan2 Vikram lander start the descent burn and transition from the rough braking phase. It's not clear with how to interpret the wiggles at the end of that phase... Another reminder that space is hard! Don't give up @isro! pic.twitter.com/Z5OFPIau7s

— Cees Bassa (@cgbassa) September 6, 2019

Pragyan rover

Pragyan, which means 'wisdom' in Sanskrit is the rover and the third component of the Chandrayaan 2 mission. The robotic vehicle that will have traversed the lunar surface on six wheels if the lander survived, was painted in the colours of the tiranga. It was expected to travel at speeds slower than a snail – one centimetre per second, with its maximum range being half a kilometre. The rover was equipped with two instruments to test the mineral and chemical compositions of the surface of the Moon along with the soil and rocks.

Chandrayaan 1 confirmed the presence of water on the Moon's surface. The rover will have studied the presence of water on the permanently shadowed parts of the Moon.