ISRO changes Chandrayaan 2 plans: Lander to orbit moon first
The Chandrayaan 2 mission plans have undergone years of preparation. Now after all these years, ISRO suddenly changes the plans for the mission. The earlier plan was to make a direct landing after the lander, which carried the rover, was separated from the orbiter.
The fourth technical review meeting was held on June 19. Major changes were made in the lander hardware. The changes in the plan were made at this meeting.
According to the new plan, the lander will go around the moon in an elliptical orbit. Then it shall decent on the dusty surface of the moon. It was initially going to soft land on the lunar surface and unload the Rover.
Initially, the project was to be a joint mission with Russia. Roscomos, Russia’s space agency was supposed to supply the lander. But the deal broke off halfway. ISRO then decided to go solo with the Chandrayaan 2 mission.
The decision regarding the number of revolutions around the moon to be made the lander has not yet been confirmed. Each orbit will be a 100X3km elliptical orbit.
According to the committee, the lander is now required to orbit so that it can make an assessment of various system performances. These changes have led to an increase in the overall weight of Chandrayaan 2. It has increased from 3250kg to 3850 kg.
This has led to the use of the GSLV Mk III instead of the GSLV Mk II. Besides, there will also be two additional propellant tanks of 390-litre capacity and an additional pressurant tank of 35.5-litre capacity along with many other changes.
All of these changes can be estimated to be for an increase in the success percentage. The people of India would be satisfied to see a successful launch and landing of Chandrayaan 2. Better late than never.
