If India’s Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission successfully touches down on Saturday, the country will join the United States, China and the former Soviet Union in an elite club of nations that have made a soft landing on the moon.
And if all goes to plan, India will become the second country after China to explore the far side of the moon. The mission, operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was launched last month. After more than 45 days it is scheduled to land a rover on the lunar surface on September 7.
Each step has been carefully planned and executed by Indian Space Research Oganization (ISRO) on a tight budget of Rs. 900 Crores. The Chanadrayaan-2 mission comes at less than half the amount spent on the recent Hollywood blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame,” which cost Rs. 2500 Crores million to make.
To increase awareness about its space programmes, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) had in August conducted an online quiz for students from Class 8 to 10. The space agency selected top 60 to witness the historic event. The top rankers will watch the landing live on Saturday along with the prime minister, a senior ISRO official said.
From Nagaland, Aleyzeza Leyri (NGF45), Class 10 of Fernwood School, Kohima and Shlok Mundhra (NGM46), Class 10 of Hollotoli School, Dimapur will represent the state.
Two Nagaland students to watch #Chandrayaan2 moon landing with PM @narendramodi at #ISRO in Bengaluru on 7th Sept.
— Dr. Yan Murry (@DrYanMurry) September 6, 2019
The Moon landing will be broadcast live at National Geographic channel starting 11:30 PM on 6th Sept.