Chandrayaan-2 mission a huge step forward for India: US
A day after India's ambitious mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-2 failed to complete landing on the lunar surface, the United States has congratulated and supported India on its efforts. "We congratulate ISRO on their incredible efforts on Chandrayaan 2. The mission is a huge step forward for India," said Alice G. Wells, Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia. Here's more on this.
We congratulate @ISRO on their incredible efforts on #Chandrayaan2. The mission is a huge step forward for India and will continue to produce valuable data to fuel scientific advancements. We have no doubt that India will achieve its space aspirations. AGW https://t.co/r1TAjvRl47
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) September 7, 2019
On Saturday, ISRO lost touch with Vikram lander, just moments prior to its planned landing. It was supposed to lower its speed from 6,048 kmph to about 7 kmph for seamless landing, but went off the grid, a mere 2.1 km near moon's surface. However, the space agency hasn't given up yet, and efforts to establish communication with the lander shall continue.
Notably, the mission had started on July 22. It took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. Upon success, India would have become the fourth country (after Russia, US, and China) to land on the Moon. Further, Vikram's landing would have made India the first nation ever to touch down on its South Pole, a territory that has never been explored before.
Now, despite uncertainty glooming over India's moon mission, media-organizations and space experts around the world have offered words of inspiration to the country and its space agency. "Even if the lander doesn't make it, it's still a heck of a success," said former NASA astronaut, Jerry M Linenger. "Take pride India and have courage. This is a great achievement," Israel ambassador, Ron Malka tweeted.
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was following the landing live from ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru, consoled K Sivan (ISRO chief), after the heartbreak, and addressed the team of scientists present at the occasion. "We came very close, but we need to cover more ground... Learnings from today will make us stronger and better," PM Modi said. "India is with you," the PM assured.
