ISRO to launch Chandrayan 2 on GSLV-MK-III in January

New Delhi : After being delayed twice, India's second moon mission Chandrayaan 2 will be launched in January, said ISRO on Tuesday. Indian Space Research Organisation chairman K Sivan informed that the window for launch is in between January 3 to February 16.

"In January 2019, we will have a major mission Chandrayaan 2 by GSLV-Mk-III-M1. We have taken a review by experts throughout the country. They appreciated our efforts saying this is the most complex mission ISRO has ever taken", Sivan said.

"It would be the first mission in the world going near South Pole, i.e. 72 degree South is landing site", the ISRO Chairman added.

Cannot be launched with GSLV

ISRO chairman also informed that the weight of Chandrayaan 2 has increased by 3.8 ton which is why it will require GSLV-MK-III instead of GSLV for take-off. 

Earlier, the officials had announced that the launch has been delayed and it will not be before January 2019. The launch was first planned in April 2018.