Salem/Namakkal (Tamil Nadu): To test the Chandrayaan-2 lander, ISRO recreated lunar surface from the lunar soil available in Tamil Nadu.
Several types of research were conducted with the help of 'Anorthosite' rock which is closest to lunar soil composition cum features and are found in Siddampoondi and Kunnamalai villages in Namakkal district.
After the communication with Vikram lander was lost in the wee hours of Saturday, villagers of Siddampoondi and Kunnamalai sent consolation to the ISRO scientists.
"Scientists used our soil for Chandrayaan-2 related research and it made us happy. After that, we started paying special attention to Chandrayaan 2. Unfortunately, Vikram Lander lost signal today, but scientists need not worry about that. We understand their disappointment and they have our full support," said social activist Kulanthaivelu on behalf of the villagers.
ISRO chairman K Sivan on Saturday said that the agency would try to establish the link with the lost Vikram Lander for the next 14 days, whose "the last portion was not executed the right way."
Chandrayaan-2 was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 22. After revolving around the earth's orbit, the spacecraft began its journey to the moon on August 14 and all manoeuvres were carried out to perfection until the last few minutes of descent.
Also read: 90-95% of mission objectives achieved: ISRO
