CHANDRAYAAN 2 LAST

In May this year ISRO raised the orbit of Chandrayaan-1,
which was at a height of 100 km from the lunar surface since
November last year, to 200 km, saying the space craft in this
higher altitude would enable further studies on orbit
perturbations, gravitational field variation of the moon and
also enable imaging lunar surface with a wider swath.

It was revealed later that the main objective of the
orbit-raising move was because "environment (thermal and
radiation) encountered by Chandrayaan-1 was more severe than
anticipated by ISRO".

And also because the on board (redundant) sensors
gyroscopes, pressed into service after star sensors failed,
could be used from this orbit (unlike the 100 km orbit) to
prolong the mission without ISRO needing to control the moon
craft on a daily basis.

But, ISRO officials dismiss suggestions that the space
agency was keeping setbacks under wraps, saying in space
missions things of that sort are not uncommon and it can't go
on giving updates when there are many instances of
malfunctioning being set right in previous missions soon after
they occurred. PTI