​Which launch vehicle was used by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for its lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-2? ​

Correct option is D

Sol: The correct answer is (d) GSLV MK-III

Key Points:

• The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV MK-III), also nicknamed "Bahubali", was used by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to launch the Chandrayaan-2 mission on July 22, 2019.
• GSLV MK-III is crucial for India's ambitions in launching heavier satellites and interplanetary missions.
  
• Chandrayaan-2 consists of three main components: anorbiter, a lander named Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan.
  
• The primary goal of  Chandrayaan-2 was to explore the South Polar region of the Moon, which had not been previously explored by any space agency.
• It aimed to study the lunar surface's topography, mineralogy, and the presence of water ice, as well as to map variations in its composition.

Information booster:

PSLV-C21

• Type: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
• Launch Date: September 9, 2012
• Mission: Successfully launched the French earth observation satellite SPOT 6 and a Japanese micro-satellite PROITERES into a polar orbit.
• Significance: This mission marked ISRO's 100th space mission, demonstrating the reliability of the PSLV as a workhorse for launching satellites.

PSLV-D2

• Type: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
• Launch Date: July 15, 1994
• Mission: This was the second flight of the PSLV, which successfully placed the IRS-P2 satellite into orbit along with several other payloads.
• Significance: It helped establish PSLV's capabilities for launching multiple satellites in a single mission.

ASLV-D4

• Type: Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV)
• Launch Date: September 20, 1994
• Mission: The ASLV-D4 was primarily aimed at demonstrating new technologies and capabilities in launch vehicles.
• Significance: It was part of India's efforts to develop a more advanced launch vehicle system, leading to the eventual development of PSLV.