ISRO Chief K Sivan has confirmed that communication with Chandrayaan 2’s Vikram lander have been lost. PM Narendra Modi consoled distraught scientists after the latest development.
India’s attempt to land an unmanned craft on the moon’s south polar region went through a hitch after communications with Chandrayaan 2’s Vikram lander was lost moments before touchdown. ISRO Chief K Sivan said that “communications from the lander to ground station was lost”, adding that the data is still being analysed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi consoled the perturbed scientists and said, “Communication has been lost. I could see the anxiety on your faces. There is no need to get disappointed because it is not a small achievement. The country is proud of you.” The Prime Minister was present at the Mission Operations Complex of ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) to watch the landing of the spacecraft.
“We have to learn a lot from your effort. As the scientists have told me if communication is re-established, it will send data. Let us hope for the best”, PM Modi averred. “My best wishes to you. You have done a great service to the nation and science. We too are learning a lot from you all. In future too our journey will continue. I am fully with you all. Let us move with courage. I have belief that due to your efforts, the country will once again start celebrations,” he further added. The Prime Minister also interacted with students who were present at the ground station to witness the landing.
If the touchdown was successful, the country would have joined the US, Russia and China in soft landing on the lunar surface. India would also have been the first country to explore the unexplored south polar region of the moon.