The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said the spacecraft’s descent was normal until around 2km from the surface. At which point, the lunar craft lost touch with ground control. It was minutes away from the Moon.
It is not clear if the mission failed or where the probe is at the moment.
The probe, known as Vikram, was part of the Chandrayaan-2 Moon mission.
This is the country’s plan to become the first nation to explore the lunar south pole.
The south pole is believed to contain water as craters in the region are largely unaffected by the high temperatures of the Sun.
ISRO had hoped to confirm the presence of water in the form of ice, first detected in 2008.
A live stream was broadcasted from the agency’s tracking centre in Istrac, Bengaluru.
After the disappearance, ISRO Chairman, K Sivan, briefed the scientists on the situation.
He confirmed that “communication from Vikram to ground station was lost”.
He also assured everyone that “the data is being analysed”.
Sivan had previously described the final moments of a landing mission as “15 minutes of terror,” due to the complexities involved with lunar gravity, terrain and dust.
The lander made a six-week long journey and entered the Moon’s orbit on August 20.
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A successful landing would have made India the fourth country to land a vessel on the lunar surface.
The only other countries to do so are the United States, China and the former Soviet Union.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was also present to watch the mission.
He offered his commiserations and said he was still proud despite contact being lost with the craft.
Israel also made an unsuccessful attempt to land its Beresheet spacecraft on the moon in April.
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