These are moments to be courageous: PM on Chandrayaan-2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked ISRO scientists to "be courageous" and hope for the best soon after India's space agency announced that communication with Chandrayaan-2's Vikram lander was lost before touchdown on Saturday.

(ISRO live screengrab)

Modi, who witnessed the proceedings at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) centre here, told the scientific community that the country was proud of them and asked them to be courageous.

Click here for all the live updates on the Chandrayaan-2's Vikram lander

"Be courageous...Hope for the best," Modi told the scientists.

(ISRO live screengrab)

Prime Minister Modi interacted with the children who were present at the space station to witness the landing.

(ISRO live screengrab)

Minutes before making the announcement about losing communication with the 'Vikram' lander, ISRO Chairman K Sivan briefed the Prime Minister.

Later in a tweet, Modi said, "India is proud of our scientists! They’ve given their best and have always made India proud. These are moments to be courageous, and courageous we will be! Chairman @isro gave updates on Chandrayaan-2. We remain hopeful and will continue working hard on our space programme."

The communication signals from Chandrayaan-2's Vikram lander was lost when it was at 2.1 km altitude from the lunar surface, early, on Saturday.

(With inputs from PTI)