India loses contact with its lunar probe shortly before moon landing

India's second Moon mission Chandrayaan-2's moon lander, Vikram, has lost communications with the ground station at an altitude of 2.1 kilometres from the Lunar surface, said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Sivan on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Vikram was scheduled to land on the moon surface at around 1.55 am (India’s local time).

Chandrayaan-2 is made up of an orbiter, a moon lander (Vikram) and its lunar surface rover (Pragyan).

However, as no data could be received from the Rover "Pragyan" even after several minutes passed, the atmosphere turned sombre inside the ISRO control room.

ISRO chief rushed to brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was present on the occasion to watch the landing process, to brief him about the loss of communication with the lander.

Later, Modi tweeted that India was proud of its scientists and that the country will continue with its space programme.

"India is proud of our scientists! They've given their best and have always made India proud. These are moments to be courageous, and courageous we will be! ISRO Chairman gave updates on Chandrayaan-2. We remain hopeful and will continue working hard on our space programme," Modi wrote.

- Bernama