India’s 2nd moon mission launch halted over snag

By Ahmad Adil

Chandigarh, INDIA (AA) - The launch of India's second mission to the moon was called off early Monday due to a snag, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said.

"A technical snag was observed in launch vehicle system at T-56 minute. As a measure of abundant precaution, #Chandrayaan2 launch has been called off for today. Revised launch date will be announced later," the ISRO tweeted.

The GSLV Mk-III rocket was scheduled to go up from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh at 2.51 a.m. (2121GMT) with a rover that was expected to land near the South Pole of the moon on Sept. 6.

A successful mission would make India the fourth country to carry out a soft landing on the moon.

The ISRO earlier said: “This mission will help us gain a better understanding of the origin and evolution of the Moon by conducting detailed topographical studies…and a host of other experiments on the lunar surface.”