India to launch Chandrayaan-2 by 2013

Kolkata, Jun 30: K Radhakrishnan, the Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has said India is preparing to launch its second moon mission 'Chandrayaan-2' by 2013.

"The Chandrayaan-2 we are planning to have in the year 2013 and by that time we should have our GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) flying with the Indigenous Cryogenic Engine Stage that's the target with which we are working," said Radhakrishnan.

Radhakrishnan said some snags have been identified in flight-testing of the Indigenous Cryogenic Engine, which is being analysed.

He said this problem would be sorted out in about a year.

"A flight testing of the Indigenous Cryogenic Engine Stage, in April, and as you know we had some snags there."

He also stated, "we went through a very detailed analysis as to what happens and why it happens and we have come to a couple of scenarios in which such a snag would have occurred."

"Our immediate task is to confirm that through testing on the ground and then prepare for the next flight testing. This should happen in year from now," said Radhakrishnan.

The Chandrayaan-2 is the second unmanned lunar exploration mission that ISRO is pursuing.

ANI