India Announces Instrument Suite for Chandrayaan–2 Moon Orbiter, Lander and Rover

[Kinetic]

India Announces Instrument Suite for Chandrayaan–2 Moon Orbiter, Lander and Rover

The five recommended payloads of Chandrayaan-2 orbiter are:

1. Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer (CLASS) from ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore and Solar X-ray monitor (XSM) from Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad for mapping major elements present on the lunar surface.

2. L and S band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad for probing the first few tens of metres of the 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.

3. Imaging IR Spectrometer (IIRS) from SAC, Ahmedabad for mapping of lunar surface over a wide wavelength range for the study of minerals, water molecules and hydroxyl present.

4. Neutral Mass Spectrometer (ChACE-2) from Space Physics Laboratory (SPL), Thiruvananthapuram to carry out a detailed study of the lunar exosphere.

5. Terrain Mapping Camera-2 (TMC-2) from SAC, Ahmedabad for preparing a three-dimensaional map essential for studying the lunar mineralogy and geology.

The two scientific payloads on Chandrayaan-2 rover are:

1. Laser induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) from Laboratory for Electro Optic Systems ( LEOS), Bangalore.

2. Alpha Particle Induced X-ray Spectroscope (APIXS) from PRL, Ahmedabad.

Both instruments are expected to carry out elemental analysis of the lunar surface near the landing site.

Additional instruments may be added later.

Launch vehicle: GSLV.
Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft weight: ~2650 kg.
Orbiter's weight: 1400 kg.
Lander and rover's weight: 1250 kg.
Launch schedule: 2013.

Payloads for Chandrayaan-2 finalised, to carry 7 instruments
PTI, Aug 30, 2010, 08.09pm IST


BANGALORE: The payloads to be carried by India's second unmanned moon mission Chandrayaan-2 targeted for launch in 2013 were announced on Monday and there will be seven onboard instruments for a range of lunar experiments.

The payloads finalised by a National Committee of Experts were announced by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Three of the seven payloads are new.

The country's prestigious maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 came to an abrupt end a little less than a year after it was launched in October 2008. This mission carried 11 payloads including six from abroad.

Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, which would have an orbiter (satellite), a lander and a rover, is planned to be launched onboard Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in 2013.

While the lander would be provided by Russia, the orbiter and rover are being built by Bangalore-headquartered ISRO.

Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft weighs about 2,650 kg at lift-off of which the orbiter's weight is about 1,400 kg and lander about 1,250 kg.

After detailed deliberations and considering the mission needs, weight and power available for scientific payloads, the committee has recommended five payloads to be flown on the orbiter, of which three are new and two are improved versions of payloads flown earlier on Chandrayaan-1 orbiter.

The committee, drawn from ISRO centres, academic institutions and R and D laboratories and Chaired by Prof U R Rao, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Space Sciences ( ADCOS) and former Chairman of ISRO, has also recommended two scientific payloads on the rover of Chandrayaan-2.

"Inclusion of additional payloads, if possible within the mission constraints, will be considered at a later date following a detailed review", ISRO said in a statement.

The five recommended payloads of Chandrayaan-2 orbiter are:

1. Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer (CLASS) from ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore and Solar X-ray monitor (XSM) from Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad for mapping major elements present on the lunar surface.

2. L and S band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad for probing the first few tens of metres of the 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.

3. Imaging IR Spectrometer (IIRS) from SAC, Ahmedabad for mapping of lunar surface over a wide wavelength range for the study of minerals, water molecules and hydroxyl present.

4. Neutral Mass Spectrometer (ChACE-2) from Space Physics Laboratory (SPL), Thiruvananthapuram to carry out a detailed study of the lunar exosphere.

5. Terrain Mapping Camera-2 (TMC-2) from SAC, Ahmedabad for preparing a three-dimensaional map essential for studying the lunar mineralogy and geology.

The two scientific payloads on Chandrayaan-2 rover are: 1. Laser induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) from Laboratory for Electro Optic Systems ( LEOS), Bangalore.

2. Alpha Particle Induced X-ray Spectroscope (APIXS) from PRL, Ahmedabad.

Both instruments are expected to carry out elemental analysis of the lunar surface near the landing site.

Payloads for Chandrayaan-2 finalised, to carry 7 instruments - India - The Times of India


India Announces Instrument Suite for Chandrayaan–2 Moon Orbiter, Lander and Rover | SpaceRef - Your Space Reference

India's second moon mission in 2013 will carry five scientific instruments on board the spacecraft Chandrayaan-2 that will also have a lander and a rover to ride on the lunar surface, the space agency said Monday.

'Russia will provide the lander and the rover is being built by our scientists and engineers,' state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement here.

Chandrayaan-2 will be launched onboard the indigenous geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) from the country's spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, about 80 km north-east of Chennai.

The spacecraft weighs 2.6 tonnes at lift-off with the orbiter at 1.4 tonnes and lander 1.2 tonnes.

A national committee of experts headed by former ISRO chairman U.R. Rao finalised the five instruments to be flown on the orbiter, including two improved versions of the payloads that were used in the first lunar spacecraft Chandrayaan-1, which was launched October 2008 on a 10-month voyage.

'The committee has recommended five scientific payloads keeping in view its weight and power. Though it has favoured two payloads on the rover, their inclusion will be determined after considering the mission constraints such as power and weight,' the statement pointed out.

The five proposed instruments are: Large area soft X-ray spectrometer and solar X-ray monitor to map major elements on the lunar surface, and L and S band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to probe the lunar surface for the presence of different constituents, including water ice and the terrain mapping camera-2 will prepare a three-dimensional map for studying the lunar mineralogy and geology.

'SAR is expected to provide further evidence confirming the presence of water ice below the shadowed regions of the moon,' the statement noted.

The imaging infra-red spectrometer is intended to map the lunar surface over a wide wavelength range for studying minerals, water molecules and hydroxyl and the neutral mass spectrometer to study the lunar exosphere.

The two instruments on the rover are laser induced breakdown spectroscope and Alpha particle induced x-ray spectroscope.

'Both instruments will conduct elemental analysis of the lunar surface near the landing site,' the statement added.

Sub-systems of the orbiter and rover are being developed at ISRO centres in Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram and Ahmedabad.

India's second moon mission to carry five instruments

 

[ganimi kawa]

2. L and S band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad for probing the first few tens of metres of the 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.

If this is a totally homegrown effort , then some interesting defence applications may be found for it!

 

[Kinetic]

If this is a totally homegrown effort , then some interesting defence applications may be found for it!

Yeah I am also thinking same. On this instrument Space Applications Centre (ISRO) may got helps from DRDO. Though ISRO earlier developed various types of phased array radars and AESA radars.

Our Chandrayaan-1 was better than China's Chang'e-1 in terms of scientific payloads and touching the moon with MIP but Chandrayaan-2 also seems to be better than Chang'e-3 which is a comparable/similar probe from China will fly for the moon in 2013.

 

[Dark Angel]

Additional Indian rover on Chandrayaan-II





KOCHI: A small Indian rover, wheeling the country’s hopes on the lunarscape, will travel to the moon on Chandrayaan-II.


This will be in addition to the Russian rover, one of the main payloads on board the second moon mission, making this one of the first missions to carry two robotic payloads on it.

While the Russian rover weighs about 50 kg, the Indian one is smaller and weighs only 15 kg. The Russian rover, which is significantly more advanced and versatile, will carry out all the major explorations while the Indian one will separately undertake chemical analysis and the search for availability of materials on the surface of the moon.

The design is totally indigenous. And a significant part of the rover, including the crucial communication links, is being fabricated in Kerala. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has a twin objective in sending up a desi rover. One aim is to gain experience in robotic payloads but the main idea is to achieve the capability of remotely controlling a system to execute various commands communicated from the Bangalore station. India needs to perfect its deep space communication as the space race is so dependent on effecting transmission of commands to the payloads and reception of data collected by them.

At the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO scientists are working to develop radio frequency transmitters.

These transmitters will travel on the rover, controlling its movement on the moon and directing it to collect samples. The ISRO, however, is not planning to do serious chemical examination on the rover.

Apart from achieving communication prowess, ISRO hopes to learn valuable lessons in soft landing payloads on alien surfaces through the rover experiment.

The Russians have handed over the design and specifications of its rover for fabrication of its traction in association with ISRO using facilities in ITTs like Kharagpur.

The only experience ISRO has in landing payloads is what it gained through the crash-landing of the moon impact probe (MIP) sent on the ill-fated Chandrayaan-I. Since the MIP was intended to crash on the lunar surface and cause dust displacement for understanding of the terrain, not much thought was given to landing techniques.

With ISRO deciding to carry two rovers, the possibility of flying free payloads remains a moot point. In fact, the decision to carry 11 payloads on Chandrayaan- I and whether it affected its thermal management is being actively debated. Scientists feel that had the spacecraft been less congested internal heat could have been more effectively ventilated. This could restrain ISRO from inviting free payloads from other space agencies or universities.

 

[ps80]

Yeah I am also thinking same. On this instrument Space Applications Centre (ISRO) may got helps from DRDO. Though ISRO earlier developed various types of phased array radars and AESA radars.

Our Chandrayaan-1 was better than China's Chang'e-1 in terms of scientific payloads and touching the moon with MIP but Chandrayaan-2 also seems to be better than Chang'e-3 which is a comparable/similar probe from China will fly for the moon in 2013.

Friend, no need to bring the Chinese satellites or rockets in our discussion. It may turn this thread into another China-India bashing threads.

 

[Kinetic]

Friend, no need to bring the Chinese satellites or rockets in our discussion. It may turn this thread into another China-India bashing threads.

Friend, my intention was to compare same type of probe those will be launched in the same year by India and China. I think discussing and comparing similar type of moon missions from both country should bring 'bashing' if someone intentionally don't troll.

BTW what do you think about the Chang'e-3 and Chandrayaan-2 are missions? They are somewhat on similar type of missions.

 

[Desi Sher]

ISRO finally landing On Moon, Good Going India..... and thanks to Russia for making us the Rover, couldnt have done it without them....

 

[Desi Sher]

And why would there be an Indian Rover In Addition to the Russian???? So Two rovers??? One Indian and Another Russian???

 

[ps80]

Friend, my intention was to compare same type of probe those will be launched in the same year by India and China. I think discussing and comparing similar type of moon missions from both country should bring 'bashing' if someone intentionally don't troll.

BTW what do you think about the Chang'e-3 and Chandrayaan-2 are missions? They are somewhat on similar type of missions.

Comparison is fine, and about the "ours better than them" part...I think it would be nice if we let the readers decide for themselves.

I have a very little knowledge about the above noted space missions....can't comment. I can only convey my best wishes to the Chinese and Indian space agencies for these missions.

 

[Markus]

I would have been more happy had the main rover been an Indian one!

 

[Kinetic]

ISRO finally landing On Moon, Good Going India..... and thanks to Russia for making us the Rover, couldnt have done it without them....

Dude ISRO already landed on the moon with MIP....

And why would there be an Indian Rover In Addition to the Russian???? So Two rovers??? One Indian and Another Russian???

I would have been more happy had the main rover been an Indian one!

There will be only one rover onbord Chandrayaan-2 according latest reports. It is Indian and will carry Indian instruments. Russia is just building the lander.

Orbiter: Indian.
Rover: Indian.
Lander: Russian.

 

[Solomon2]

A neutron spectrometer would be a nice addition. Come to think of it, this could be combined with the alpha x-ray unit in a single package.

 

[Markus]

There will be only one rover onbord Chandrayaan-2 according latest reports. It is Indian and will carry Indian instruments. Russia is just building the lander.

Orbiter: Indian.
Rover: Indian.
Lander: Russian.

Hi,

I just found the below link, other links are also available:-

ISRO's Chandrayaan-2 will carry twin rovers

AFAIK, the agreement which was signed when President Putin visited India the last time, Indian government agreed to carry a main Russian rover instead of the main Indian rover on Chandrayaan 2.

Excerpt from link:-
Russian press reports place the weight of the lander at 400 kg. It will carry two rovers: A 50 kg Russian rover that will carry the major exploration instruments, and a 15 kg Indian rover, primarily designed to give Indian space scientists experience in robotics and precise remote control over planetary distances, which will separately undertake chemical analysis of the lunar soil.

Even though it's a smaller secondary rover for India, it will be a good learning experience for ISRO. Hopefully that experience will be put to good used in the unmanned mission to Mars.

 

[Kinetic]

Hi,

I just found the below link, other links are also available:-

ISRO's Chandrayaan-2 will carry twin rovers

AFAIK, the agreement which was signed when President Putin visited India the last time, Indian government agreed to carry a main Russian rover instead of the main Indian rover on Chandrayaan 2.

Excerpt from link:-
Russian press reports place the weight of the lander at 400 kg. It will carry two rovers: A 50 kg Russian rover that will carry the major exploration instruments, and a 15 kg Indian rover, primarily designed to give Indian space scientists experience in robotics and precise remote control over planetary distances, which will separately undertake chemical analysis of the lunar soil.

Even though it's a smaller secondary rover for India, it will be a good learning experience for ISRO. Hopefully that experience will be put to good used in the unmanned mission to Mars.

This is from today's news... though earlier I read it somewhere as well.....

Russia To Test Chandrayaan-2 Lander Next Year

Aug 31, 2010




By Neelam Mathews

BENGALURU, India — Next year, Russian space agency Roscomos plans to test the lander that will be part of India’s second Moon mission, Chandrayaan-2, Roscosmos Deputy Head Anatoly Shilov says.

Scheduled to be lofted in 2013, Chandrayaan-2 will have an orbiter, a lander and a rover. It is slated to fly on a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Center on Sriharikota Island.

While the lander will be provided by Russia, the orbiter and the rover are being built by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

The rover will move on wheels on the lunar surface, pick up samples of soil or rocks, perform a chemical analysis and send the data to the spacecraft orbiting above.

The rover will weigh 30-100 kg. (70-220 lb.), depending on whether it is to do a semi-hard landing or soft landing. During its planned one month of surface operations, it will run predominantly on solar power.

Initially two lunar rovers were planned — one from India and a larger one from Russia — but following a cost analysis, the Russians gave up on the rover.

“The tasks of the mission are to investigate rock samples at the maximum distance from the landing point and to confirm the presence of water,” Shilov said at the recent Bengaluru Space Expo. “Today we are talking about moving from research to ... lunar development,” he says.

Meanwhile, the payloads to be flown on Chandrayaan-2 have been finalized by a committee of experts from ISRO centers, academic institutions and R&D laboratories, according to a press statement.

The five recommended payloads are:

...

Russia To Test Chandrayaan-2 Lander Next Year | AVIATION WEEK

 

[Kinetic]

This is the proposed prototype rover under development by the students of IIT-Kanpur for Chandrayaan-2 mission. This will be examined by the ISRO.... They will either modify it or built a new one by themselves.

I think they better select it. It will be a remarkable milestone for the IITs and tech development in India.

Image: Pradeep Mohandas