Chandrayaan-2
Chandrayaan-2 combined an orbiter with the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover. The landing attempt was unsuccessful, while the orbiter continued lunar science.
The mission in three questions
- What could a long-lived polar orbiter add to mapping of water-related and geological signatures?
- How could high-resolution imaging support future landing-site assessment?
- What can be learned when a multi-element mission has different outcomes for the orbiter and lander?
Mission purpose and context
Chandrayaan-2 combined an orbiter, the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover. The landing attempt did not succeed, but the orbiter entered lunar orbit successfully and became a productive science mission in its own right.
Spacecraft and mission architecture
The orbiter carries high-resolution imaging, infrared spectroscopy, radar, X-ray measurements and instruments for the lunar exosphere. Vikram was designed to deliver Pragyan to a high-southern-latitude landing site, but communication was lost during final descent.
Payload and measurement highlights
- The orbiter's OHRC and Terrain Mapping Camera 2 provide high-resolution and stereo imaging.
- IIRS maps mineral and hydration-related spectral signatures.
- Dual-Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar supports polar and subsurface investigations.
- CLASS and XSM support X-ray compositional studies; CHACE-2 studies the exosphere.
How this mission collected evidence
| Instrument | Measurement | Scientific connection |
|---|---|---|
| OHRC Orbiter High Resolution Camera | Detailed surface imagery | Landing-site characterisation and geological mapping |
| IIRS Imaging Infrared Spectrometer | Surface mineralogy and hydration-sensitive spectral features | Composition and volatile-related studies |
Browse the lunar mission instrument reference.
Flight and surface operations
Launched in July 2019, the composite spacecraft entered lunar orbit in August. Vikram separated in September and deviated from the planned trajectory during powered descent. The orbiter continued operations, with ISRO subsequently extending its scientific programme.
Mission sequence
- 22 July 2019: launched an orbiter, Vikram lander and Pragyan rover toward the Moon.
- The orbiter successfully entered lunar orbit and separated from Vikram.
- 7 September 2019: communication with Vikram was lost during final descent; the orbiter continued its science mission.
Science and measurements
Orbital instruments investigate surface mineralogy, water/hydroxyl signatures, polar radar properties, topography and the tenuous lunar exosphere. High-resolution imaging also supports detailed geological and landing-site studies.
What changed because of this mission
The mission illustrates why multi-element missions need component-level outcome descriptions. The unsuccessful landing generated engineering lessons, while the orbiter continued to produce lunar science and supported later mission planning.
Mission outcome
The orbiter carries instruments for imaging, mineralogy, exosphere and polar studies and has continued to return scientific data.
The outcome should be read against the mission's actual objectives and architecture. Multi-element missions can have different results for an orbiter, lander, rover or sample-return stage, while a shortened mission can still return important science or demonstrate a critical technology.
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Primary reference
ISRO - Chandrayaan-2. Chandrayaan-2 architecture and orbiter science.