The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), after postponing the Chandrayaan-2 launch, is looking at the earliest available window for the rescheduled launch to happen. The new launch date is now planned for as early as July 21, i.e. Sunday afternoon, or the early hours of July 22, i.e. Monday.
"A technical snag was observed in the launch vehicle system at T-minus 56 minutes. As a measure of abundant precaution Chandrayaan 2 launch has been called off for today," said ISRO Associate Director (Public Relations) B R Guruprasad in Sriharikota early on Monday.
A technical snag was observed in launch vehicle system at 1 hour before the launch. As a measure of abundant precaution, #Chandrayaan2 launch has been called off for today. Revised launch date will be announced later.
— ISRO (@isro) July 14, 2019
ISRO said at the time that the next launch date would be announced soon.
India hopes that the Rs 980 crore-mission will be the first to land at the south pole of the Moon. It will focus on the lunar surface, searching for water and minerals and measuring moon-quakes, among other things.
Here's some exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage of the mission's various components coming together - https://t.co/baOMowvWHa
Tell us what you think about it in the comments below. #Chandrayaan2 #GSLVMkIII #ISRO pic.twitter.com/Kguy33p2C1— ISRO (@isro) July 14, 2019
If successful, India will become the fourth country to make a soft landing on the Moon's surface. Only the US, China and Russia have been able to do so, say experts.
