It was an emotional moment for the scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as the space agency lost communication with Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram lander on Saturday during its final descent on the moon. Joining the nation in encouraging all those behind the success of Chandrayaan-2 so far, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning addressed the senior scientists at the ISTRAC centre in Bengaluru, offering words of encouragement
"For the last few hours, the entire nation was awake. We were awake in solidarity with our scientists who had embarked on one of the most ambitious missions of our space programme. We came very close, but we will need to cover more ground in the times to come. Every Indian is filled with a spirit of pride as well as confidence. We are proud of our space programme and our scientists. Their hard work and determination have ensured a better life not only for our citizens but also for other nations," Modi said.
The lander was scheduled to make a soft landing on the south pole of the moon between 1.30 am and 2.30 am on September 7. It was at an altitude of 2.1 km over the moon's south pole, where it was due to land, when communication was lost.
While thanking ISRO, the Prime Minister said India was certain that there would be many more opportunities to be proud of the country and rejoice.
"We are full of confidence that when it comes to our space programme, the best is yet to come. There are new frontiers to discover and new places to go. We will rise to the occasion and scale newer heights of success. To our scientists, I want to say, India is with you. You are exceptional professionals who have made an incredible contribution to the national progress. You have given your best, always, and will give us several more opportunities to smile," Modi said.
"True to your nature, you ventured into a place where no one had ever gone before. You came as close as you could; stay steady and look ahead...Sisters and brothers of India, resilience and tenacity are central to India's ethos. In our glorious history of thousands of years, we have faced moments that may have slowed us but they have never crushed our spirit. We have bounced back again and gone on to do spectacular things," he added.
Modi said that while the final result was important, "the effort was worth it and so was the journey."
"Our team worked hard, travelled far and those teachings will always remain with us. We will look back at this journey with effort and great satisfaction. The learnings from today will make us stronger and better. There will be a new dawn and brighter tomorrow very soon," he concluded.
He also pointed out that the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter continued to do its job perfectly, orbiting the moon. He added that ISRO will continue to be a major leader in space exploration.
Before his departure, Modi also hugged an emotional ISRO Chairman K Sivan, who broke down, and consoled him.
#WeAreProudOfYouISRO #ISRO pic.twitter.com/MxzO4glTmf
— Karthigaichelvan S (@karthickselvaa) September 7, 2019
In its last stage snag, the communication link between India's moon lander Vikram and the moon orbiter got snapped as the former was descending towards the moon's south pole early on Saturday.
Announcing the snapping of the communication link, K Sivan said that the performance of the lander was as per the plan until it was 2.1 km from the moon's surface. The communication link got snapped after that, he added.
On the screen, it was seen that Vikram slightly deviated from its planned path and then the communication link got snapped. ISRO officials said that the data is being analysed.
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