Chandrayaan 2

Chandrayaan 2 [ISRO]

Chandrayaan-2 is joint Indo-Russian mission to the Moon, which will have an Orbiter and Lander-Rover module. ISRO will have the prime responsibility for the Orbiter and Rover; Roskosmos, Russia will be responsible for Lander. Chandrayaan-2 will be launched on India’s GSLV-MkII around 2014 timeframe. The science goals of the mission are to further improve the understanding of the origin and evolution of the Moon using instruments onboard Orbiter and in-situ analysis of lunar samples using Lander and Rover.

Orbiter Craft (OC)

Chandrayaan-2 Structure configuration has been changed from I2K to I3K configuration due to the revision of payload lift off capacity by GSLV. This change will enable accommodating larger propellant tanks. The mission strategy was revised to inject the satellite in a lower initial orbit (170 × 16980 km) with a higher lift-off mass of 3200 kg and the Propulsion System Configuration changed to increase fuel carrying capability of the satellite. The other activities completed are: finalisation of all electrical and mechanical interfaces including the payload interfaces; Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) of Bus Systems (Power, Attitude Orbit Control Electronics, Telemetry, Tracking and Command Baseband Systems, RF Systems, Data Handling System, Structure, Thermal Control System, Propulsion System); all systems accommodation studies and initial thermal analysis.

The following five payloads are selected for Orbiter.

• Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer (CLASS) and Solar X-ray Monitor (XSM) for mapping the major elements present on the lunar surface.
• L- and S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for probing the first few tens of meters of lunar surface for the presence of different constituents including water ice. SAR is expected to provide further evidence confirming the presence of water ice below the shadowed regions of the moon.
• Imaging IR Spectrometer (IIRS) for mapping of lunar surface over a wide wavelength range for the study of minerals, water molecules and hydroxyl present.
• Neutral Mass Spectrometer (ChACE-2) to carry out a detailed study of the lunar exosphere.
• Terrain Mapping Camera-2 (TMC-2) for preparing a three-dimensional map essential for studying the lunar mineralogy and geology.

Lander Craft (LC)

Rover

Following two scientific payloads selected for Indian Rover would carry out elemental analysisof the lunar surface near the landing site

• Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS).
• Alpha Particle Induced X-ray Spectroscope (APIXS).