The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to further delay the launch of its second mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-2, until January next year.
The mission, which was originally planned to be launched in April, was postponed to October or November due to additional tests recommended by a national-level committee.
However, the launch was delayed again by around two months because of technical glitches.
An unnamed ISRO official was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying:“We don’t want to take any risk.”
The official further noted that a number potential launch dates had been identified, with one slot scheduled in January.
The Chandrayaan-2 is made up of an orbiter, a lander and a rover. Weighing around 3290kg, the spacecraft is designed to orbit the moon and carry out remote sensing activities.
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By GlobalDataIn March, the ISRO launched the GSAT-6A military communication satellite from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, but was unable to retain communication with it.
After this setback, the agency recalled its heaviest satellite, GSAT-11, from the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, for additional technical checks.
The ISRO is expected to launch the GSAT-11 satellite on 30 November onboard an Arianespace rocket launched from Kourou.
In addition, the ISRO faced another setback in September last year with its IRNSS-1H navigation satellite.
The launch, which was conducted onboard a PSLV rocket, failed after the heat shield did not open and release the satellite.
