The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has called off the launch of its second ambitious lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2, due to a technical issue.
“A technical snag was observed in launch vehicle system at T-56 minute. As a measure of abundant precaution, #Chandrayaan2 launch has been called off for today. Revised launch date will be announced later,” the space agency stated in a tweet.
https://twitter.com/isro/status/1150512237045379072
Chandrayaan-2 was set to be launched on-board the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk-III at 2:51 AM on July 15. However, the countdown was stopped abruptly around 2 AM and it was later announced that the launch has been called off.
According to ISRO, the mission will help gather details about the origin and evolution of the moon.
Also Watch: Interactive graphic: Chandrayaan-2, India’s second mission to moon
“All preparations for Chandrayaan-2 are going on for the launch scheduled at 2.51 am on July 15 from Sriharikota,” ISRO chairman K Sivan had told reporters on Saturday.
The spacecraft, with a mass of 3.8 tonne, has three modules — Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan).
Sivan also ruled out rains posing a threat to the launch. He said the launch vehicle is rain-protected and that the total mission cost of Chandrayaan-2 was ₹1,000 crore.
Chandrayaan-2 is an advanced version of the previous Chandrayaan-1 mission, which had 11 payloads and was credited for the discovery of water on the lunar surface.
