Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed scientists at ISRO, hours after India's attempt to make a "soft" or controlled landing on the Moon's surface and probe the unexplored lunar South Pole suffered a major setback Saturday. The Chandrayaan 2 lander had lost communication with ISRO, the space agency had announced, moments before it was supposed to land near the south pole of the Moon.
PM Modi sought to boost the morale of the scientists after the Chandrayaan heartbreak, and praised their "resilience and tenacity". Speaking at the ISRO Control Centre in Bengaluru, he told the scientists: "India is with you! You are exceptional professionals who have made an incredible contribution to national progress".
The lander, Vikram - named after the India's space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai - was supposed to land on the moon's surface at 1:55 am following what ISRO had described as "15 minutes of terror". Communication with the Chandrayaan lander was lost just seconds before touchdown.
ISRO Chief K Sivan briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then at the ISRO control centre, before making the announcement. "Vikram lander's descent was as planned and normal performance was observed up to an altitude of 2.1 km. Subsequently, the communication from the lander to ground station was lost. The data is being analysed," the ISRO chief said around 2:16 am.
After the announcement, PM Modi patted the ISRO chief on his back and told the scientists that "what you have done (already) is not a small achievement".
Chandrayaan's orbiter - which has a mission life of one year - remains operational and will continue to study the Moon from afar and send pictures of the lunar surface to ISRO.
Here are the highlights on Chandrayaan 2:
PM Modi in Mumbai: I was really inspired by the courage and resolve shown by our #ISRO scientists. How to work towards your aim irrespective of big challenges is what I learnt from them. They will not stop striving till they reach the target. #Chandrayaan2 pic.twitter.com/CQL90QuyUn
- ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2019
"#India can & should be proud of its great teams of #ISRO scientists who have made it a world leader in #SpaceScience & practices.I am glad I followed the Live broadcast together with so many people in India & around the world. Getting where @Isro got is a great success by itself"
In April this year, Israel's made an unsuccessful attempt to land its Beresheet spacecraft on the moon. At the last minute its craft suffered an engine failure and apparently crashed onto the lunar surface
Inspiring work team @isro. PM spoke for all of us. Confident you will succeed.
- Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 7, 2019
"Proud of each and everyone on the #ISRO team. Setbacks are a part of the journey; without them, there is no success. The whole nation stands with you and believes in you"
Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi's heartfelt and touching gesture towards @isro Chairman proves why he is one of the most loved and respected leaders around the world.
- Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 7, 2019
The way he lifted the morale of the #ISRO team shows his magnanimity and largesse. https://t.co/n6XjPtHpa1
Every Indian is proud of the exceptional achievements of @isro. The challenging times will make us stronger and better. As we prepare ourselves for the future, remember what PM Shri @NarendraModi said, 'the best is yet to come'. #Chandrayan2
- Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) September 7, 2019
"We are proud of India and its scientists today. Chandrayaan-2 saw some challenges last minute but the courage and hard work you have shown are historical. Knowing Prime Minister
@narendramodi, I have no doubt he and his ISRO team will make it happen one day"
This does not tantamount to failure. In Research and Development there will be a learning curve. This, is that precious learning moment. We will soon be on the Moon, Thanks to #ISRO. The Nation believes and applauds ISRO.
- Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) September 7, 2019
"India Is With You", Says PM Modi Amid Chandrayaan 2 Heartbreak: Top QuotesAfter the late-night, heart-breaking announcement of losing communication with Chandrayaan 2's lander, PM Narendra Modi speaks about the pride the nation holds for space agency ISRO's scientists.
Watch: PM Modi Consoles Emotional ISRO Chairman K SivanPrime Minister Narendra Modi got emotional this morning as he met ISRO chief K Sivan at the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru hours after the space agency lost contact with Chandrayaan 2 lander
- "Today our resolve to touch the moon has strengthened"
- "You all are those who etch your name on stone, not in sand"
- "You all came ever so close... as close as one could be to success. Learn from your experience and move forward, look forward and carry on the work you do, for there will be many opportunities ahead, many missions ahead"
- "There will be a new dawn and a brighter tomorrow very soon"
- "When ISRO has its encyclopedia of success, some hurdles cannot put its flight out of trajectory"
- "You spent your entire life making Mother India proud. I can understand your state of mind"
- "We came very close but we need to cover more ground. The best is yet to come"
- "India did not sleep through the night...The entire nation stands in solidarity with you all"
I salute @isro scientists, engineers & everyone else associated with Chandrayaan-2 for their hard work & dedication in trying to conquer new frontiers in space exploration.
- VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) September 7, 2019
The nation is proud of #ISRO's achievements. My best wishes for all your future endeavours. #Chandrayaan2
Chandrayaan 2: Of 38 Bids To Soft-Land On Moon, About Half Have Succeeded: Foreign MediaIndia's first attempt to land on the moon went awry early Saturday when the space agency lost contact with the lander as it neared the lunar site, minutes before touchdown was expected
Chandrayaan 2 Status: Why ISRO's Mission Is Not A Failure Despite Landing SetbackIndia's first attempt to land on the Moon may have gone off-script but the ambitious Chandrayaan 2 mission has been far from a flop. With a mission life of one year, the Chandrayaan 2 orbiter remains in operation and will continue to study the Moon from afar
Anand Mahindra Says Every Indian Can Feel Chandrayaan 2's HeartbeatFor ISRO scientists and millions of people watching India's moon mission Chandrayaan 2 with hope and pride, the loss of contact with lander Vikram came as a major setback. There was applause just moments ago as the lander successfully crossed stages of descent. Then, ISRO Chief K Sivan made the heartbreaking announcement. PM Modi told dejected scientists "There are ups and downs in life. We are proud of you"
With #Chandrayaan2 Mission, the entire team of ISRO has shown exemplary commitment and courage. The country is proud of @ISRO. We all hope for the best #PresidentKovind
- President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 6, 2019
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!
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 6, 2019
Chairman @isro gave updates on Chandrayaan-2. We remain hopeful and will continue working hard on our space programme.
"We are with you @isro. You have brought the nation, it's young minds and all, together in sensing your achievements in Space. You will succeed"
Chandrayaan 2: What K Sivan Said After Loss Of Contact With Vikram Lander1.55 am on Saturday came and went. Amid a stunned silence at the ISRO mission control room, India's top space scientist K Sivan first briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then made the grim announcement. Communication to the Chandrayaan 2's lander Vikram was lost. At 3.10 am, an ISRO scientist - not the chief -- announced that a planned press conference had been called off
