As Chandrayaan-2 heads for historic moon landing, a look at its 45-day journey in space

New Delhi | Jagran Tech Desk: India's Moon mission spacecraft Chandrayaan 2 is all set to make its landing on the lunar surface at around 1.40-1.55 PM IST on September 7. It will be the first of its kind to explore the south polar region of the Moon.

The major developments of the spacecraft started on July 24, i.e., two days after it was launched from Sriharikota on July 22. So far the spacecraft has crossed several stages like earthbound maneuvers, lunar bound maneuvers and lander portion 'Vikram' separation from the spacecraft.

Here's what has happened so far:

July 22: 3840 kg spacecraft launched from Sriharikota.
July 24: First earthbound orbit-raising maneuver for Chandrayaan 2 performed successfully.
July 26: Second earthbound orbit-raising maneuver performed successfully.
July 29: Chandrayaan 2's third earthbound orbit-raising maneuver completed.
Aug 2: Fourth earthbound orbit-raising maneuver for spacecraft completed.
Aug 6: Fifth and last orbit-raising maneuver for Chandrayaan 2 completed.
Aug 14: Translunar maneuver performed today.
Aug 20: Lunar orbit insertion of Chandrayaan 2 maneuver completed successfully.
Aug 21: Second lunar bound orbit maneuver performed successfully.
Aug 28: Third lunar orbit insertion maneuver of Chandrayaan 2 spacecraft completed.
Aug 30: Fourth lunar bound orbit maneuver for spacecraft performed.
Sept 1: Fifth and final lunar bound orbit insertion maneuver for Chandrayaan 2 completed successfully.
Sept 2: Vikram lander successfully separates from Chandrayaan 2 orbiter.
Sept 3: First de-orbit maneuver for Vikram lander of Chandrayaan 2 spacecraft performed successfully.
Sept 4: The second de-orbiting maneuver for Chandrayaan 2 spacecraft completed.

Also Read: Terrain mapping camera on Chandrayaan 2 takes magnificent images of Moon's surface | See here

It is expected to perform powered descent on September 6 at 7 am IST and the Vikram touchdown will take place at around 2 am on September 7.

The Vikram lander is named after Vikram A. Sarabhai who is called as the father of the Indian space program.

Following Chandrayaan 2 landing, the rover 'Pragyan' will roll out from lander 'Vikram' and carry out experiments on the lunar surface for a period of one lunar day, which is equal to 14 earth days. The mission life of the lander is also one lunar day, while the orbiter would continue its mission for a year.

Live coverage of once in a lifetime historic expedition will be telecast on National Geographic channel and Hotstar starting at 11.30 pm on September 6.