| Organization | Indian Space Research Organisation, Russian Federal Space Agency |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Orbiter, lander and two rovers |
| Satellite of | Moon |
| Launch date | 30 December 2013 from Sriharikota, India[1] |
| Launch vehicle | GSLV |
| Mission duration | One year |
| Home page | ISRO |
Chandrayaan-2 (Sanskrit: चंद्रयान-२, lit: Moon-vehicle[2][3] 
pronunciation (help·info)), is the second unmanned lunar exploration mission proposed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and has a projected cost of Rs. 425 crore (US$ 90 million).[4] The mission, proposed to be launched in 2013[1] by a GSLV launch vehicle, includes a lunar orbiter as well as two rovers: one lander/rover built by Russia,[5][6] and a second -smaller- rover built by India.[7] The wheeled rovers will move on the lunar surface, to pick up soil or rock samples for on site chemical analysis. The data will be sent to Earth through the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter.[8] The team headed by Mylswamy Annadurai that was behind the success of the Chandrayaan-1 mission, is working on Chandrayaan-2.
Contents |
History
The Indian Government approved this mission in a meeting of the Union Cabinet held on 18 September 2008 chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.[9]
On November 12, 2007, representatives of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos) and ISRO signed an agreement for the two agencies to work together on the Chandrayaan-2 project.[10] ISRO will have the prime responsibility for the orbiter and Roskosmos will be responsible for the lander/rover. The design of the craft was completed in August 2009, with scientists of both countries conducting a joint review.[11][12] Chandrayaan-2 will be launched on India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) on 2013.[13][1]
Design
The smaller rover and the orbiter of Chandrayaan-2 will be designed and developed by India (ISRO), while Russia will design and construct a soft-lander and a rover. The platform with the rover will detach from the orbiter after the spacecraft reaches its orbit above the Moon, and land on lunar soil, then the rover will roll out of the platform.[14] The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is carrying out feasibility studies which will look at powering the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter with nuclear energy.[15]
Rovers
The Russian designed, rover weighs 50 kg, will have six wheels and will be running on solar power. It will land near one of the poles and will operate for a year, roving up to 150 km at a maximum speed of 360 m/h. The Russian rover, which is significantly more advanced and versatile, will carry out all the major explorations.
The Indian rover is smaller, weighing 15 kg will be deployed together with the Russian rover and will separately undertake chemical analysis and the search for availability of materials[clarification needed] on the surface of the Moon. The design is totally indigenous and a significant part of the of it -including the crucial communication links- is being fabricated in Kerala.[7] One aim is to gain experience in robotic payloads, and also to achieve the capability of remotely controlling a system to execute various commands communicated from the Bangalore station.
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Chandrayaan-2 launch by 2013". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/05/stories/2009070556691600.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
- ^ "candra". Spoken Sanskrit. http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=candra&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ "yaana". Spoken Sanskrit. http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=yaana&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ "India, Russia giving final shape to Chandrayaan-2". Hindustan Times. 2008-10-30. http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=7d024b18-bd9c-4011-96ba-111c19bebd24&&Headline=Final+shape+given+to+Chandrayaan-2. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- ^ "Chandrayaan-2 to be finalised in 6 months". The Hindu. 2007-09-07. http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/09/27/stories/2007092756381500.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Centre approves Chandrayaan 2". Deccan Herald. 2008-09-19. http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Sep192008/national2008091890836.asp. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ a b Additional Indian rover on Chandrayaan-II (18 Sep 2009)
- ^ "ISRO plans moon rover". The Hindu. 2007-01-04. http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/04/stories/2007010401342200.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Cabinet clears Chandrayaan-2". The Hindu. 2008-09-19. http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/19/stories/2008091961981800.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
- ^ "India, Russia to expand n-cooperation, defer Kudankulam deal". Earthtimes.org. 2008-11-12. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/140647.html. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- ^ "ISRO completes Chandrayaan-2 design news". domain-b.com. 2009-08-17. http://www.domain-b.com/aero/space/spacemissions/20090817_chandrayaan-2_design.html. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
- ^ "India and Russia complete design of new lunar probe". 2009-08-17. http://en.rian.ru/world/20090817/155832962.html. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
- ^ "India and Russia Sign an Agreement on Chandrayaan-2". ISRO. 2007-11-14. http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Nov14_2007.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
- ^ India and Russia complete design of new lunar probe
- ^ Chandrayaan-II may have N-powered systems (08 August 2009)
External links
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