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India Space Program

India's space program is making giant leaps to the moon, Mars and beyond. See the latest missions, videos and news from the Indian Space Research Organisation here.

Related Topics: China Space Program, NASA, Moon

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A still from a video produced by ISRO showing how its Vikram lander was meant to touch down on the moon on Sept. 6, 2019.

Time Is Running Out for India to Save Its Silent Moon Lander

By Meghan Bartels

Even as its orbiter settles into work, India's hopes of resurrecting its moon lander are quickly evaporating as the country marks two weeks from its attempt to softly touch down on the lunar surface.

On Sept. 2, the Indian Space Research Organisation's Chandrayaan-2 moon orbiter successfully released its Vikram lander, as seen in this illustrated depiction. But Vikram's landing attempt on Sept. 6 did not go as planned; mission control lost contact with Vikram just before touchdown, and the lander has been silent ever since.

NASA Moon Orbiter Fails to Spot India's Lunar Lander: Report

By Leonard David

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has reportedly failed to spot India’s Chandrayaan-2 lunar lander, which apparently crashed during its Sept. 6 touchdown attempt.

An artist's depiction of the Chandrayaan-2 lander, Vikram, preparing to alight on the lunar surface. The procedure occurred on Sept. 6, 2019, but apparently went wrong, with the Indian space agency losing contact with the lander late in the maneuver.

NASA Probe to Fly Over India's Moon-Landing Site Tuesday

By Mike Wall

We could learn more about the fate of India's first moon lander soon.

An artist's depiction of the Chandrayaan-2 lander, Vikram, preparing to alight on the lunar surface. The procedure occurred on Sept. 6, 2019, but appears to have gone wrong, with the Indian space agency losing contact with the lander late in the maneuver.

US Moon Landing Hopefuls Watch Silent India Lander — and Learn

By Meghan Bartels

In the wake of the apparent crash of India's Chandrayaan-2 lunar lander, NASA and U.S. companies are looking for insights to inform their own moon shots.

A still from a video produced by ISRO showing how its Vikram lander was meant to touch down on the moon on Sept. 6, 2019.

India's Silent Moon Lander Could Be in One Piece After 'Hard Landing': Reports

By Meghan Bartels

The quest to contact India's silent moon lander after hints of a crash continues, with images suggesting Vikram remains in one piece on the lunar surface.

The Indian Space Research Organisation's Chandrayaan-2 moon orbiter is shown studying the lunar surface from above in this still image from a video animation.

India Just Found Its Lost Vikram Lander on the Moon, Still No Signal

By Tariq Malik

India's Chandrayaan-2 orbiter circling the moon has spotted the country's lost Vikram lander on the lunar surface, but there is still no signal, ISRO officials said Saturday (Sept. 7).

K. Sivan, head of the India Space Research Organisation, holds a lunar model on Aug. 26, 2019, as the country's Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft flew toward the moon.

India Looks Beyond the Moon to Mars, Venus and Astronaut Missions

By Elizabeth Howell

India's space program may have hit a major stumbling block on the road to the moon, but the country has already made major strides in lunar and Mars exploration.

India's Chandrayaan-2 mission captured this photograph of the moon on Aug. 21, 2019.

India's Moon Mission Continues Despite Apparent Lander Crash

By Mike Wall

India's historic lunar-landing bid may have come up short, but the nation still has important work to do at the moon.

A flight controller holds his head in the Mission Control Centre for the Indian Space Research Organisation's Vikram moon lander during an attempted lunar landing on Sept. 6/7. 2019.

India Loses Contact with Vikram Lander During Historic Moon Landing Attempt

By Meghan Bartels, Hanneke Weitering

India's daring moon mission, Chandrayaan-2, lost contact just above the lunar surface, dashing Indian dreams of becoming just the fourth country to successfully land on the moon.

A still from an animation shows India's Vikram lunar lander, part of the Chandrayaan-2 mission, descending to the lunar surface.

See How India's Moon Lander Will Reach the Lunar Surface (Video)

By Elizabeth Howell

As India's lunar lander prepares for an epic descent today (Sept. 6), the country's space agency released a video showing how it will attempt to make a soft touchdown.

This image shows the distribution of surface ice at the moon’s south pole (left) and north pole (right), as detected by NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper instrument, which flew aboard India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft.

India Looks to Build on Lunar Legacy with Historic Moon Landing

By Mike Wall

A decade ago, India's Chandrayaan-1 mission helped reshape scientists' understanding of the moon, showing that a key exploration-aiding resource is widespread on Earth's nearest neighbor.

The target landing site for India's Chandrayaan-2 mission to explore the lunar south pole.

India to Attempt Moon Landing at the Lunar South Pole Today. How to Watch Live

By How It Works Team

The moon landing is set for between 4 and 5 p.m. EDT (2000-2100 GMT).

An artist's depiction of India's Chandrayaan-2 lander and rover on the surface of the moon, near its south pole.

Here's Where India's Chandrayaan-2 Will Land Near the Moon's South Pole (and Why)

By Meghan Bartels

It doesn't have a name, at least not yet. But in just a few days, if all goes well, it could become one of the most important places on the moon's surface.

On Sept. 2, the Indian Space Research Organisation's Chandrayaan-2 moon orbiter successfully released its Vikram lander in lunar orbit as seen in this illustrated depiction.

India's Chandrayaan-2 Moon Orbiter Releases Vikram Lunar Lander

By Meghan Bartels

The two halves of India's moon mission have parted ways in preparation for the tensest moment of the entire endeavor.

An artist's illustration of India's Chandrayaan-2 orbiter (bottom) and the Vikram lander, which carries the Pragyan rover, in orbit around the moon.

At the Moon, India's Chandrayaan-2 Spacecraft Poised to Release Lunar Lander

By Leonard David

India's Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft at the moon successfully completed its fifth and final lunar orbit maneuver today (Sept. 1), setting the stage for the release of the country's first lunar lander.

India's Chandrayaan-2 Moon mission blasts off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India, on 22 July 2019.

India Has It Right: Nations Either Aim for the Moon or Get Left Behind in the Space Economy

By Nicholas Borroz

Space is poised to become a much bigger business, and both companies and countries are investing in the technological capability to ensure they reap the earthly rewards.

A view of the north polar region of the moon as seen by Chandrayaan-2 on Aug. 23, 2019.

India's Chandrayaan-2 Spacecraft Scouts the Moon in New Lunar Photos

By Meghan Bartels

India's Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft is settling into orbit around the moon and has an incredible view as it waits to try to make history.

The MOM team celebrates a successful launch to Mars in "Mission Mangal."

'Mission Mangal' Tells the True Story of the Women Behind India's First Mission to Mars

By Chelsea Gohd

"Mission Mangal" (2019), a new Indian Hindi-language film, tells the dramatic true story of the women behind India's first mission to Mars.

India's Chandrayaan-2 mission captured this photograph of the moon on Aug. 21, 2019.

India's Chandrayaan-2 Spacecraft Snaps Its First Picture of the Moon

By Meghan Bartels

India's Chandrayaan-2 mission is in orbit around the moon, and the craft's vantage point is spectacular.

An artist's illustration of India's Chandrayaan-2 orbiter (bottom) and the Vikram lander, which carries the Pragyan rover, in orbit around the moon.

India's Chandrayaan-2 Moon Mission Successfully Enters Lunar Orbit

By Meghan Bartels

India's Chandrayaan-2 mission has ticked off another key milestone in its journey to land safely on the moon: The spacecraft has successfully entered lunar orbit.