India fails first attempt to land on Moon

Saturday, 7 September 2019 08:42

India’s first attempt to land on the moon suffered a major setback on Saturday after the country’s space agency lost contact with the lander.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) lost contact with the Moon lander Vikram just before it was due to touch down near the lunar south pole.

The main orbiter Chandrayaan 2 however remains in operation and will continue to study the Moon from afar.

Of the 38 soft-landing attempts made on the moon, only about half have succeeded.

India had hoped its Chandrayaan-2 mission would make it the fourth nation to land on the moon after the United States, Russia and China.

India is proud of our scientists! They’ve given their best and have always made India proud. These are moments to be courageous, and courageous we will be!

Chairman @isro gave updates on Chandrayaan-2. We remain hopeful and will continue working hard on our space programme.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 6, 2019

More from International News

One killed, dozens injured in clashes during Pakistan protests

At least one police officer was killed and dozens of people injured in Pakistan as supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with security forces outside the capital Islamabad on Monday, officials and Khan's party said.
Five killed in plane crash outside Costa Rica capital

A small plane travelling to Costa Rica's capital of San Jose crashed on Monday afternoon, authorities said, killing five of the six passengers on board.
Israel pounds Beirut suburbs as Lebanon says 31 dead nationwide

Israeli strikes pummelled south Beirut on Monday, Lebanese official media said, while health authorities reported 31 people killed across the country, most of them in the south.
Judge dismisses Trump election subversion case

A US judge on Monday dismissed the federal criminal case accusing Donald Trump of attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat after prosecutors moved to drop the case and a second case against the president-elect, citing Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president.