NASA Comments on ISRO's Chandrayaan 2 Attempt!

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has commended Isro’s attempt to soft-land ‘Vikram’ – the lander of Chandrayaan 2 mission – on the Moon’s South Pole. The space agency also said that it was inspired with Indian Space Research Organisation’s  (ISRO) journey and that it looks forward to exploring solar system together.

Replying to one of ISRO’s tweets about the complexity of Chandrayaan 2 mission, NASA wrote, “ Space is hard. We commend @ISRO’s attempt to land their #Chandrayaan2 mission on the Moon’s South Pole. You have inspired us with your journey and look forward to future opportunities to explore our solar system together.”

After successfully completing the rough braking phase, Vikram lost its connection with ground stations moments before its planned landing on the South Pole region of the moon. ISRO Chief K Sivan said that the descent was as planned and normal performance was observed up to an altitude of 2.1 km (from the lunar surface) before communication from lander to the ground stations was lost.

He further said that Vikram has a lifetime of one lunar day which equals 14 earth days and so efforts to re-establish the connection will continue.

In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed ISRO scientists by saying that they have inspired thousands of young minds to take up Science and that is a victory on its own.