Chandrayaan-2
Template:Infobox Spacecraft Chandrayaan II (Sanskrit: चंद्रयान-II, lit: Lunar Craft), is the second unmanned lunar exploration mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission includes a lunar orbiter as well as an rover.[1][2]
ISRO plans to land a motorised rover on the Moon in 2010 or 2011, as a part of its second Chandrayaan mission. The wheeled rover will move on the lunar surface, to pick up soil or rock samples for on site chemical analysis. The data with be sent to Earth through Chandrayaan II, which will be in lunar orbit. [3]
On 22 October 2008, after the launch of Chandrayaan I it was announced that the probable launch of Chandrayaan II would be the end of 2009 or early 2010.[4] The launch vehicle would be the GSLV.[4]
On November 12, 2007, representatives of the Russian Federal Space Agency and ISRO signed an agreement for the two agencies to work together on the Chandrayaan II project.[2][5]
Chandrayaan II will consist of the spacecraft itself and a landing platform with the Moon 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. Mylswamy Annadurai, Project Director, Chandrayaan I, said: "Chandrayaan II will carry a semi-hard or soft-landing system. A motorised rover will be released on the Moon's surface from the lander. The location for the lander will be identified using Chandrayaan I data."
The rover will weigh between 30 kg and 100 kg, depending on whether it is to do a semi-hard landing or soft landing. The rover will have an operating life-span of one month. It will run predominantly on solar power.
External links
- FACTBOX - Reuters - Planned lunar missions
- Reuters: CHRONOLOGY - Five key dates in the race to the moon
References
- ^ "Chandrayaan-II to be finalised in 6 months". The Hindu. 2007-09-07. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "Centre approves Chandrayaan II". Deccan Herald. 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "ISRO plans moon rover". The Hindu. 2007-01-04. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
ET1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "India, Russia to expand n-cooperation, defer Kudankulam deal". Earthtimes.org.