Chandra Yaan

Chandra Yaan, also known as Chandrayaan, is an Indian space mission conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is India's lunar exploration program aimed at studying the Moon and its various aspects. The name "Chandrayaan" is a combination of two words: "Chandra," which means "Moon" in Sanskrit, and "Yaana," which means "vehicle" or "craft."

There have been multiple missions under the Chandrayaan program, each with specific objectives and scientific payloads:

Chandrayaan-1: Launched on October 22, 2008, Chandrayaan-1 was India's first lunar mission. It played a significant role in the discovery of water molecules on the Moon's surface and helped create a detailed map of the lunar surface. The mission also carried instruments from other countries, including NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper.

Chandrayaan-2: Launched on July 22, 2019, Chandrayaan-2 is India's second lunar mission. It is an advanced version of its predecessor and comprises an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan. The primary objective of Chandrayaan-2 is to study the lunar south pole region and search for water ice, which could be crucial for future lunar missions.

The mission encountered challenges during the landing phase when the lander Vikram lost communication with the ground control just minutes before landing. Despite the partial success, the orbiter continues to orbit the Moon and conducts scientific observations.

Chandrayaan missions have significantly contributed to lunar science and exploration, putting India in a select group of countries capable of conducting space missions to the Moon and beyond. These missions have expanded our knowledge of the Moon and its geology, providing valuable data for scientists to study and understand the Earth's natural satellite better.