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Swarajya Staff
Jul 15, 2019, 05:08 PM | Updated 05:08 PM IST
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ISRO may attempt another launch of India’s prestigious Chandrayaan 2 later in the month, after today’s (15 May) early morning attempt was called off due to technical snags.
A report by NDTV has cited sources within ISRO to claim that the second attempt may well be made before July end itself. The rocket and satellite are safe and the highly inflammable liquid hydrogen and oxygen fuels have been removed reportedly.
The anxiously anticipated launch of India’s second mission to the moon was called off one hour before the planned 2.51 am event, with some estimates of the relaunch putting it in September.
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
The Chandrayaan 2 mission, which comprises of a lander, Vikram, and a rover, Pragyan, will make India the fourth country to land a rover on the Moon’s surface. Once launched, using the GSLV-MKIII launcher, the Chandrayaan 2 is supposed to reach the moon in 54 days. The entire project has reportedly cost the Indian space agency $124 million.