An expanding, low-cost aerospace program led by India will launch its most recent attempt at an unmanned lunar landing on Friday, quickly approaching the benchmarks set by the world’s superpowers.
If the mission is successful, China would become only the fourth country—behind Russia, the United States, and China—to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon.
Four years have passed since the previous Chandrayaan (“Mooncraft”) effort, which failed when the ground crew lost communication just before landing.
This time around, there is optimism that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will succeed, as it sets its sights on a future manned lunar mission.
“We’re sure this one will be successful and will bring pride and recognition to everybody who has worked for it,” Anil G. Verma of Godrej & Boyce, ISRO’s principal engine and components supplier, told AFP.
According to media sources, the $74.6 million, 14-day mission intends to successfully land a rover so it may investigate the lunar surface.
The launch, which is planned to take place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre north of Chennai at 2:35 p.m. local time (09:05 GMT), is anticipated to draw a sizable audience.
“I am very happy and hopeful,” K. Sivan, the ISRO chief during India’s last lunar landing attempt, told AFP.
