Chandrayaan-II, in 2nd phase of descent, reduction in velocity was more than designed value : Minister

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New Delhi : The approved cost of Chandrayaan-II Project is Rs. 603 Crore (excluding launch cost). Chandrayaan-II was launched on-board the GSLV MK III M1. The cost of GSLV MK III M1 vehicle is Rs 367 crore. Chandrayaan-II Spacecraft was successfully launched. The  objectives of Chandrayaan-II Mission were: 1. Scientific studies through payloads on-board the orbiter 2. Technology demonstration of soft landing and roving on the lunar surface

The indigenously developed Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft comprising of Orbiter, Lander and Rover, was successfully launched on-board indigenous GSLV MK III-M1 Mission on July 22, 2019. After accomplishing four earth bound maneuvers and Trans Lunar Injection, the spacecraft was successfully inserted into the Lunar orbit on August 20, 2019.

A series of moon bound maneuvers were then carried out to achieve a Lunar orbit of 119×127 km. The Lander ‘Vikram’ was separated, as planned, from the Orbiter on September 2, 2019. After two successful de-orbiting maneuvers, powered descent of the Lander was initiated on September 7, 2019, to achieve soft landing on the moon surface.

The first phase of descent was performed nominally from an altitude of 30 km to 7.4 km above the moon surface. The velocity was reduced from 1,683 m/s to 146 m/s. During the second phase of descent, the reduction in velocity was more than the designed value. Due to this deviation, the initial conditions at the start of the fine braking phase were beyond the designed parameters. As a result, Vikram hard landed within 500 m of the designated landing site, according to a PIB release.

Most of the components of Technology demonstration including the launch, orbital critical maneuvers, lander separation, de-boost and rough braking phase were successfully accomplished. With regards to the scientific objectives, all the 8 state of the art scientific instruments of the Orbiter are performing as per the design and providing valuable scientific data. Due to the precise launch and orbital maneuvers, the mission life of the Orbiter is increased to 7 years. The data received from the Orbiter is being provided continuously to the scientific community. The same was recently reviewed at an all India user meet organised in New Delhi.

This information was provided by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on November 20, 2019.