India’s has successfully launched Chandrayaan 2 today, which makes us a force to reckon with in the race to conquer the space.
This is a moment that will be etched in the history of space accomplishments. ISRO has achieved a superb feat today, making India the fourth nation to reach the moon today.
The prestigious mission has been rescheduled from time to time, and was timed to launch last week. However, it hit a snag and was again postponed to launch today. And finally today arrived, and the Chandrayaan 2 has been launched successfully.
To make this day more interesting, we have brought to you seven interesting facts about the nation’s second moon mission, Chandrayaan 2, courtesy of ISRO.
Contents
Science and Superstition
While everything about the mission is pure science, the brilliant scientists working on the project also have a superstitious side to them. Apparently, a special puja was arranged to pray for the success of the Chandrayaan 2. This puja was conducted at Chandranar temple at Thingalur in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.
Additionally, a former official has let it slip that the scientists are quite superstitious, and will not set the countdown for a rocket flight during the Rahu Kaalam, which is a one and a half-hour period of planet Rahu. this period is considered to be inauspicious, and no new initiative is commenced during this period.
Chandrayaan 2 Costs Less Than Avengers Endgame
Yes, we are not exaggerating! The total budget of the Chandrayaan 2, India’s second moon mission, is less than that of the Avengers Endgame movie. Another popular Hollywood movie, Interstellar also has a budget more than the moon mission.
Chandrayaan 2 costs about $124 million, whereas, the Avengers Endgame cost $356 million, and Interstellar took about $165 million.
India First Nation To Touch South Pole
ISRO has planned for the Chandrayaan 2 to explore the south pole of the moon. When the Chandrayaan 2 actually lands on the South Pole of the moon, that will be a record-setting moment as none other countries have set foot there before.
The GSLV Mk-III ‘Bahubali’
The GSLV Mk-III, or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, which was used to launch the Chandrayaan 2, is the most powerful rocket ever developed by ISRO. It will also be used to launch any manned space mission in the future.
It was initially nicknamed Fat Boy, which later changed to Bahubali, after the much loved Telugu film hero.
The Lander Vikram Named After This Scientist
The lander of the mission is called Vikram. The name itself means Valour, but that is not the only reason why the lander is named so. The lander is named Vikram after Vikram Sarabhai, who is famous as the father of the Indian space programme.
Pragyan: The Rover
The rover of the Chandrayaan 2 will weigh about 27 kg and will function on solar power. It will have two cameras on the front side that will monitor where it will go. It also has wheels that appear to be made of metal and come with teeth for better surface traction.
Lander and Rover Tested on Dry Soil From Tamil Nadu
For a test run of the lander and rover of the Chandrayaan 2, ISRO opted for a true blue desi ‘jugaad’, which was dry soil found near the Salem in Tamil Nadu. Many geologists had apparently found rocks in this region, that almost match the properties of lunar soil.
The US sells lunar soil at an incredibly high rate, which was $150 per kg nearly 10 years ago.
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