Citizens and leaders across the political spectrum have offered overwhelming support to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the agency lost contact with the lander module comprising the Lander Vikram and Rover Pragyan, a hitch in India’s ambitious space project Chandrayaan 2. All systems were operating normally during the initial period of the automated powered descent phase. Contact was abruptly lost some 2.1 kilometers above the moon’s surface when the lander was in its ‘fine braking’ phase. ISRO Chairman confirmed the same in an address to the press. The scientists are now analyzing the data to determine what went wrong and should release an update soon. Thankfully, the most important component of the mission, the Orbiter, which will orbit the moon for at least a year, is operating normally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his support for the fine work done by ISRO scientists so far and he asked them not to lose hope. Support has also been pouring in from all corners of the globe. Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah said ISRO’s achievement with getting Chandrayaan-2 so far has made every Indian proud. “India stands with our committed and hard-working scientists at @isro. My best wishes for future endeavors,” he tweeted.
The Indian National Congress party also tweeted its support: Congress President Sonia Gandhi released a statement saying, “We owe a great debt to ISRO and the brilliant men and women who staff it.” Member of the Indian National Congress party Rahul Gandhi tweeted his support to ISRO: Making the announcement could not have been easy for ISRO Chairman K Sivan: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted words of inspiration, adding that the whole nation proudly supported the space agency in spite of the minor setback suffered by the agency.
An astronomer from the Netherlands appears to have been the first to report the failure of the mission. He identified the moment that contact was lost. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the entire nation is proud of the scientists. “We’re immensely proud of our scientists. They’ve been a source of perennial inspiration for all of us with their vision, commitment & tenacity,” the UP CM’s Office tweeted.
At 8 am, PM Narendra Modi visited the ISRO Control Centre once again to address all the hardworking scientists who seemed heartbroken after communication was lost with the lander. He had a lot of things to say, reassuring all the scientists that the learning from this mission will only make us stronger and better. After his speech, the PM consoled ISRO Chairman K Sivan as he broke down, conveying how all the scientists and the nation felt. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged scientists not to lose heart. “We are proud of our scientists. They have created history. No need to lose heart. Our scientists have done a great job. Jai Hind!”
CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury expressed confidence that the next steps will “more satisfying”. “The history of our scientific milestones has shown us how the fight and struggle have been continuous. Bravo that ISRO and our scientists got us so far,” he tweeted. Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said the journey of Chandrayaan-2 so far and what lies ahead is no less than an achievement. “We are proud of our scientists and confident that India’s space program only gets stronger & better from here. Team @isro – a proud, grateful & an inspired nation stands with you!” she tweeted.
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