A national committee is still examining the cause of communication loss with the Vikram lander, a key component of India’s second moon mission, during the powered descent phase in the early hours of September 7. During the 15 minutes of powered descent on September 7, Isro scientists lost contact with the lander just 2.1 km above the lunar surface, about two minutes before the landing manoeuvre was to be completed. At the time when the Nasa orbiter passed over the landing site, it was lunar dusk. With the sun remaining low on the horizon, the images have long shadows that might be hiding the lander. A national level committee consisting of academicians and Isro experts are analysing the cause of the communication loss with the lander.

Source: Hindustan Times September 19, 2019 18:45 UTC