With just about 15 days left for the launch of India’s second mission to the Moon, the integration of the modules of the spacecraft Chandrayaan-2, has been completed.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) which has set July 15 as the launch date for the Chandrayaan-2 has completed the integration of the Vikram lander (along with the Pragyaan Rover) with the Orbiter.

The Chandrayaan-2, has three modules namely Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) & Rover (Pragyan). The Orbiter and Lander modules will be interfaced mechanically and stacked together as an integrated module and accommodated inside the GSLV MK-III launch vehicle.

The space agency in an update said that it has completed the tests and that it has first integrated the Rover with Vikram and further completed the integration of Vikram and Orbiter. 

With all three modules integrated to the space craft it will be accommodated inside the launch vehicle the GSLV Mk-III-M1.

The integration of the spacecraft and the launch vehicle will be carried out during this week.

The Chandrayaan-2 will be launched on-board the GSLV MK-III-M1 on July 15 at 2.51 am from Sriharikota.

After launch into earth bound orbit by GSLV MK-III, the integrated module will reach the Moon orbit using Orbiter propulsion module. Subsequently, Lander will separate from the Orbiter and soft land at the predetermined site close to the lunar South Pole. Further, the Rover will roll out for carrying out scientific experiments on the lunar surface. Instruments are also mounted on the Lander and Orbiter for carrying out scientific experiments.

In total 14 payloads are part of the mission with the Orbiter carrying eight payloads, the Lander three and Rover two. In addition there is a NASA payload which will be passive instrument.

After its launch, the spacecraft will reach the Moon’s orbit after a 50 odd day journey and will make an attempt to land on the Moon on September 6.

If the Vikram Lander is successful in making the landing, India would become the fourth country to make a soft land on the lunar surface.