Jul 20, 2019
Chandrayaan-2 which was previously scheduled to launch on 15th July, 2019 at 2:51 hrs was called off due to some technical hitch. An expert committee analyzed the issue and suggested some corrective actions which have already been implemented.
As per the new schedule, Chandrayaan-2 is now all set to be launched on 22nd July, 2019 at 14:43 hrs from Second launch pad of SDSC, Sriharikota.
Not only India, but the world is eyeing the Chandrayaan-2 mission. The technology used in the mission including the orbiter, lander and rover are almost developed in India, which makes this mission more special.
The Objectives
Chanrayaan-2 lunar mission is targeted to explore unexplored parts of the moon. The software will run on a 20-watt solar battery to help the rover in drilling the lunar surface to find traces of water.
ISRO’s objective behind this mission is to have better understanding of the moon through discoveries in the benefit of India and humanity as a whole. They believe that there are high chances of presence of water in on moon which motivated India for its second mission to the moon. With this mission, India will become the fourth country, after the former Soviet Union, US and China, with their successful lunar missions.
Contribution of IIT Kanpur
The researchers from IIT Kanpur have made a significant contribution to this. They have developed algorithms for two subsystems of Chandrayaan-2 named Map Generation and Motion Planning. The contribution has been done by a team of 10 students and a professor for three years to develop these algorithms. This happened as a result of an MoU signed between ISRO, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) Trivandrum and IIT Kanpur for the above two sub-systems of Chandrayaan-2.
According to reports, the software developed by the IIT Kanpur will help the rover in its movement and guide its route on the lunar surface. This will save time and energy required to reach the target area. ISRO approved the algorithm proposed by IIT Kanpur looking at the features of planning and mapping generation.
The lunar rover software has been designed and developed in India for the very first time. This has made the country stand among those having the technique of making lunar rover software. The rover attached to the software will trace contents of water and other minerals in lunar surface and take relevant pictures to be sent to the lab for further analysis and research.
According to Professor Ashish Datta of the Mechanical Engineering Department, “It took almost an entire year to develop the software which was based on an algorithm system. The software has for the first time been completely developed in our country and now we stand among those nations who are making the software for lunar rover.” Prof Datta, has been working on the intelligent control system, micro-sensor and bio-robotics.