The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to further delay the launch of its second mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-2, until January next year.

The mission, which was originally planned to be launched in April, was postponed to October or November due to additional tests recommended by a national-level committee.

However, the launch was delayed again by around two months because of technical glitches.

An unnamed ISRO official was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying:“We don’t want to take any risk.”

The official further noted that a number potential launch dates had been identified, with one slot scheduled in January.

“We don’t want to take any risk.”

The Chandrayaan-2 is made up of an orbiter, a lander and a rover. Weighing around 3290kg, the spacecraft is designed to orbit the moon and carry out remote sensing activities.

In March, the ISRO launched the GSAT-6A military communication satellite from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, but was unable to retain communication with it.

After this setback, the agency recalled its heaviest satellite, GSAT-11, from the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, for additional technical checks.

The ISRO is expected to launch the GSAT-11 satellite on 30 November onboard an Arianespace rocket launched from Kourou.

In addition, the ISRO faced another setback in September last year with its IRNSS-1H navigation satellite.

The launch, which was conducted onboard a PSLV rocket, failed after the heat shield did not open and release the satellite.