Chandrayaan 2

Chandrayaan 2 Landing Live Updates: Communication from lander Vikram was lost 2.1 km was lost 2.1 km above the Moon's surface. The available data is being analysed, the space agency said

The ISRO's ground station lost contact with lander Vikram as it was merely 2.1 km above the lunar surface, just as it was about to touchdown on to the designated landing site. However, ISRO said that it is not sure whether the lander crash landed or not. The space agency added that it is presently analysing the data available with it to ascertain the reason behind the snag and the findings will be made public on a later date.

"Vikram lander descent was as planned and normal performance was observed up to an altitude of 2.1 km. Subsequently, communication from lander to ground station was lost. The data is being analysed," ISRO chief K Sivan announced from the ISRO mission control to a crowd of distraught scientists.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was present at the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru to witness the landing Chandrayaan 2, boosted the morale of the ISRO scientists.

"Life is full of ups and downs. This is no small achievement. The entire nation is proud of you. Hope for the best," PM Modi said.

Notably, even though communication with lander Vikram and rover Pragyan is lost, the Orbiter at a 100km orbit remains functional with eight working science payloads.

4:05 am: PM Narendra Modi to address the nation from ISRO Control Centre at 8:00 am today.

2:48 am: "The communication isn't lost. Every single person in India can feel the heartbeat of #chandrayaan2 We can hear it whisper to us that 'If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra says in an encouraging tweet after ISRO lost contact with lander Vikram.

2:42 am: The Orbiter, which remains in the lunar orbit, is still functional. This module of Chandrayaan 2 has the highest number of science payloads in the entire mission at eight instruments and is expected to remain functional for the next two years.

2:41 am: PM Narendra Modi says India is proud of its scientists.

2:30 am: "Life is full of ups and downs. This is no small achievement. The entire nation is proud of you. Hope for the best," PM Narendra Modi tells scientists.

2:17 am: "Vikram lander descent was as planned and normal performance was observed up to an altitude of 2.1 km. Subsequently, communication from lander to ground stations was lost. The data is being analysed," ISRO chief K Sivan announces.