Isro has been able to find the location of the Vikram lander which lost communication after descending to an altitude of 2.1 km from the lunar surface. The orbiter in the lunar orbit clicked the thermal images of the lander on the surface of the moon.

Isro chief K Sivan told India Today on Sunday, September 8, “We have found the location of the Vikram lander on the lunar surface and the Orbiter has clicked a thermal image of Lander. But there is no communication yet. We are trying to have contact. It will be communicated soon.”

Sivan said the lander may have hard landed on the Moon.

The image of Pragyan rover housed inside the Vikram Lander was captured by the Chandrayaan 2 orbiter, which is safely operating in the Moon’s orbit. Now, Isro has begun a 14-day mission to re-establish the contact with the lander.

The Vikram lander was supposed to soft-land on the lunar surface and function for one lunar day, which is equal to 14 earth days.

At present, scientists are analysing the data to understand what went wrong with the lander. Principal scientific advisor Dr Vijay Raghavan said, “Science gives life meaning. It reveals the past of our species and allows us to shoot for the moon. That feeling of adventure, of the unknown, of setbacks, of moving forward: that’s science. The goal of a moonshot is to inspire. So I count Chandrayaan 2 as a 100 per cent success.”

India’s Soft Landing Mission

India’s ambitious mission to soft-land on the moon witnessed a major setback with the ‘Vikram’ module losing communication with ground stations, just 2.1 km from the lunar surface during its final descent on Saturday. As one of the most difficult stages of the country’s second expedition to the Moon, the lander was on a powered descent for a soft landing when it lost contact.

Expert’s Opinion

But space experts believe that Vikram lander suffering damage in the hard-landing cannot be avoided. It may not have landed at a desired level of velocity. It may not have landed on its four legs. Impact shock may have caused damage to the lander, according to a space official. A senior ISRO official said time was running out and the possibility of re-establishing communication looks less and less probable.

Also Read: A Farmer’s Son To ISRO Chief, Story Of K Sivan’s Phenomenal Journey