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The Indian space agency is set to launch next week its ambitious Chandrayaan-2 mission, which is due to land near the south pole of the moon, still unexplored.
Chandrayaan-2 will take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, on the south-west coast of the country, at 15:01 in the morning (10:21).
Second lunar probe of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the first to land on the moon, it must land on September 6th.
India will be only the fourth country, after the United States, Russia and China, to reach the Earth's satellite if successful.
ISRO has stated that it has chosen to explore the South Pole because it is possible that there is water in the shaded areas permanently, which could pave the way for future lunar dwellings.
The Indian space agency is preparing to launch its ambitious Chandrayaan-2 mission this weekend, which is expected to land near the south pole of the moon, still unexplored. In the photo: the mission launch vehicle, GSLV MK-III
ISRO said that he had chosen to explore the South Pole as it is possible that there is water in the shaded areas permanently, which could open the way to future lunar dwellings.
Chandrayaan-2 has three modules, an Orbiter, a Lander called Vikram and a Rover called Pragyan, which means "wisdom" in Sanskrit. On the photo: Pragyan on a ramp in Vikram
He also hopes to examine the craters inside – cold traps – to better understand the evolution of the moon.
These areas have remained extremely cold for a very long time and scientists believe that it is likely that they contain fossil record of the early solar system.
Chandrayaan-2 has three modules, an Orbiter, a Lander called Vikram and a Rover called Pragyan, which means "wisdom" in Sanskrit.
Vikram, named after Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai, father of the Indian space program, is expected to land in a high plain between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, located at about 70 ° S.
From there, the Pragyan six-wheeled robotic vehicle will be deployed and spend a lunar day, or two weeks on Earth, conducting scientific experiments on the surface.
ISRO hopes that topographic studies, mineralogical analyzes and other experiments will help the world better understand the origins of the moon.
Pragyan will use solar energy to communicate with the Lander, who will in turn send information to both the Byalalu Deep Space Network and the Orbiter.
In the photo, the Orbiter will spend a year circulating the moon 62 miles (100 km) from the surface
On 6 September, Vikram is expected to land in a high plain between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at about 70 ° S. On the picture: GSLV MK-III
ISRO also hopes to examine the cold traps inside the craters that contain fossil records of the ancient solar system, which would better understand the evolution of the moon. In the photo: Vikram mounted above the orbiter.
The Orbiter will spend a year circulating the Moon at a distance of 62 miles (100 km) from the surface.
Explaining the reasoning behind his choice to explore the South Pole, ISRO said on his website: "The South Lunar Pole is particularly interesting because of the lunar surface that remains in the north. shade is much larger than that of the North Pole.
"It is possible that water is present in shaded areas all the time.
"In addition, the South Pole region has craters that are icy traps and contain fossil record of the ancient solar system."
The country's first mission, Chandrayaan-1, was launched in 2008 and ended a year earlier after scientists lost contact with the unmanned spacecraft.
It is believed that the satellite crashed on the surface of the moon.
In May, ISRO announced that it would launch Chandrayaan-2 from 9 to 16 July. It is believed that the mission was delayed in April due to damage to Vikram.
WHAT DOES THE SPACE AGENCY IN INDIA TO REACH THE MOON?
Chandrayaan-1 was the first Indian lunar orbiter launched in 2008.
This £ 49m ($ 69m) mission was launched in a climate of national euphoria, placing India in the race for Asian space alongside China and reinforcing its claim to be considered a world power.
A vehicle landed on the moon a month later and returned images of the lunar surface.
In 2009, India ended the mission one year earlier than planned, after scientists lost contact with their unmanned spacecraft.
Chandrayaan-1 (photo) was the first Indian lunar orbiter, launched in 2008. The mission, worth £ 49 million ($ 69 million), was launched under the sign of euphoria national.
A crucial sensor in the main boat malfunctioned in July, according to experts.
It is believed that the satellite crashed on the surface of the moon.
"Our efforts to establish contact have failed. The mission has ended, "said S Satish, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
& # 39; It was useless to continue the mission. & # 39;
Named Chandrayaan-2, the vehicle will take between one and two months to reach orbit. Once the rover reaches the surface, he will explore the vicinity of the South Pole.
It is the second lunar probe of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
Weighing nearly 3,300 kg (3,300 kg), the spacecraft will take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, off the southwest coast of India.
Its launch is now scheduled for January 2019.
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