Chandrayaan-2′ in moon’s orbit, scientists had tough time

Chandrayaan-2, India’s pride, has today entered the lunar orbit.  “Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) maneuver was completed successfully today.  The duration of maneuver was 1738 seconds beginning from 0902 hrs IST.  Lander Vikram will soft land on Moon on September 7, 2019,” ISRO said in an official statement.

Two things had to be ensured meticulously to pull off the feat.

No. 1: The approach velocity had to be accurate. No. 2: The altitude over the Moon had to be accurate.

K Sivan, the Chairman of ISRO, has been quoted saying that the hearts of scientists stopped for half-an-hour until the manoeuvre was completed.  The second manoeuvre is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday).  The last one will be on September 2.