India has a lot to prove to the world with Chandrayaan 2's success

• The successful landing on Chandrayaan 2 on the Moon will make India the first country to explore the lunar south pole.
  
• The entire mission is being done using technology that was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  
• The mission is cost a record breaking ₹10 billion.
  

ISRO is sure it will succeed in its Chandrayaan-2 mission with the soft-landing of Vikram, the lander scheduled between 01:30 am and 02:30 am on Saturday, September 7, 2019 on the moon’s surface. This thumping victory will boost India’s image in the international scene and there are several reasons why India is keen to succeed in its second mission to the moon.

The importance of Chandrayaan-2 mission

Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second mission to the moon. India succeeding in its lunar mission this time will mean it will become the fourth country following Russia, the US and China to successfully accomplish a soft landing on the moon. At the same time, the success of Chandrayaan-2 will position India in the first place to reach the south pole of the moon, which is still waiting to be explored.

Highly challenging venture

What is called as Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) maneuver was carried out successfully by the ISRO during Chandrayaan-1 mission. However, the proposed soft-landing on the moon during the Chandrayaan-2 mission is a highly challenging one. Attempting to soft-land the lander and rover on a high plain lying in between the two craters Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at a latitude of about 70 south, the soft-landing being attempted now will be a terrifying moment as this is something new to ISRO.

India’s prowess in space technology

The entire mission of Chandrayaan-2 is attempted on a homegrown technology. This notable mission is closely connected with India’s lofty aspirations to prove its capabilities in space technology. Commenting on the importance of Chandrayaan-2 mission, Pallava Bagla, science editor of NDTV, a famed T channel of India remarked, “There is a huge symbolic value attached to this mission. This is all about national pride.”

The topic of space and India

In India, the topic of space has become something of a craze. In a number of Indian cities, there are huge posters found on gigantic billboards heralding the Chandrayaan-2 mission. In some space classes, children are making innovative rockets to celebrate the said mission. In fact, Chandrayaan-2 has become a hotly pursued topic among the Indian youth now.

Indian government and Chandrayaan-2

At a time when the Indian government is facing a crucial time characterized by dismal job numbers, declining economic growth and the Kashmir conflict, the Chandrayaan-2 mission provides a welcome distraction. When the Chandrayaan-2 was launched in July, Mr. Narendra Modi published a video in which he is clapping and keenly watching the live launch with the Indian flag behind him.

Arati Jerath, a Delhi based political analyst says, “Modi is very keen on positioning India as a global power. Moon missions are part of creating that image.”

What is so unique about this mission

Chandrayaan-2 is a relatively inexpensive mission when compared to the other space missions. The cost of the mission is less than $150 million, which is cheaper than what was spent to make the Hollywood film ‘Interstellar’ in 2014.

Also, the Moon’s South Pole is a highly interesting topic as it can reveal the possibility of the presence of ice and water in moon. It could enhance our knowledge of inhabiting the moon and also making fuel for the missions that would explore Mars. Scientists are also keenly looking for deposits of helium-3 on the moon which is one of the prospective energy sources for the earth in the future.

See also:

China’s lunar rover does what India’s Chandrayaan 2 is hoping to do on the Moon’s South Pole

Chandrayaan 2 is not just looking for water on the moon

Chandrayaan 2 will give India bragging rights even if it doesn’t find water