India mulls using nuclear energy to power Chandrayan II

[Screaming Skull]

India mulls using nuclear energy to power Chandrayan II: ISRO​

7 Aug 2009,

MUMBAI: India plans to power some parts of the Chandrayaan II--its next unmanned mission to the moon- with nuclear energy and the feasibility studies are being carried out by Indian Space Research Organisation and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.

"We are thinking of powering some parts of Chandrayaan II with nuclear power and it will power the spacecraft when it revolves aroung the dark side of the moon," Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO, told media here today before accepting the degree of Doctorate of Science conferred on him at the 47th Convoction of IIT-Mumbai.

He said both ISRO and BARC are carrying out the feasibility studies on this, which will be useful for carrying out further experiments to use N-power for Chandrayaan II, he said.

Asked how safe it is to use nuclear power in the mission, he said "the safety aspects are being worked and safety is crucial when it is launched from ground level to the orbit."

"To work out the safety, we have to work on new technologies and the feasibility studies will help in developing those," Nair said.

On using N-power in the deep space probe, he said "we need nuclear power in those missions which are outside out solar systems but the challenges are very many."

Asked whether laws relating to use of space will allow use of N-power, he said "we have to take utmost care in launching from to ground to the orbit and this aspect we will work out in future."

India mulls using nuclear energy to power Chandrayan II: ISRO- ET Cetera-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

[Brahm0s]

Whole india is proud of ISRO. They next big thing after NASA. ISRO have achieved alot. Only man mission left which is underway and soon by 2012 to 2014 our indian mens would be in space. Am looking forward to chandrayaan II which would be far advanced than any other mission went on moon after america's man mission on moon. This time russia too joining india's ISRO. We are alot proud of our ISRO.

 

[luoshan]

Whole india is proud of ISRO. They next big thing after NASA. ISRO have achieved alot. Only man mission left which is underway and soon by 2012 to 2014 our indian mens would be in space. Am looking forward to chandrayaan II which would be far advanced than any other mission went on moon after america's man mission on moon. This time russia too joining india's ISRO. We are alot proud of our ISRO.

You are such an ignorant man. ISRO has done a good job, but there are many other space agencies way ahead of ISRO. The Russians may be the second best on space technology as of now. They were the first ones to send manned missions to space and still have one of the best launchers. The Europeans and Japanese are way ahead in satellite launchers. The Chinese are the third country to do manned missions to space. ISRO is still behind all these guys. But they are doing good progress with limited shoestring budgets.

 

[Ruag]

Whole india is proud of ISRO. They next big thing after NASA.

Dude.. ISRO still have a long way to go.

 

[Mig-29]

Whole india is proud of ISRO. They next big thing after NASA. ISRO have achieved alot. Only man mission left which is underway and soon by 2012 to 2014 our indian mens would be in space. Am looking forward to chandrayaan II which would be far advanced than any other mission went on moon after america's man mission on moon. This time russia too joining india's ISRO. We are alot proud of our ISRO.

Well given the small amount of time since their inception and extremely low budget during the initial years, the achievements of ISRO are highly commendable , however to become world class and to be compared with other leading space agencies , it has a log way to go.

 

[dvk1982]

Well given the small amount of time since their inception and extremely low budget during the initial years, the achievements of ISRO are highly commendable , however to become world class and to be compared with other leading space agencies , it has a log way to go.

for sure ISRO is one of those very few gems that are controlled by govt. and still performed much to our delight.....

I have always believed in ISRO, the only exception to an organization under central govt.

 

[toxic_pus]

They next big thing after NASA. ISRO have achieved alot.

I understand that there is reason to be really proud of ISRO and be emotional about it, but, hey, lets not get ahead of ourselves.

 

[third eye]

Wonder if there will be a concern with nuclear debris in space when the life of the mission is over.

 

[Brahm0s]

Well given the small amount of time since their inception and extremely low budget during the initial years, the achievements of ISRO are highly commendable , however to become world class and to be compared with other leading space agencies , it has a log way to go.

i agree with u and everyone here that ISRO has long way to go but the way ISRO going ahead i dont think it would take much time. Even NASA approaching ISRO and indian's working in NASA want to join ISRO. To be honest i dont think ISRO would take that long to be next big thing. Even ISRO chief said they aint far behind other space agencies. He said ISRO done most of things but only sending man on space remaining and that too because of indian goverment who not told ISRO to prepare for sending man in space but now even goverment gave green signal. India already started test of our spacecraft. i dont think ISRO might take much time to be next big thing. Infact now even russia and america joining ISRO for space mission.

 

[Lethalforce]

India should think of ion propulsion as a possible alternative.

 

[xebex]

Wonder if there will be a concern with nuclear debris in space when the life of the mission is over.

I dont think so as long as its far away from earth. concern about nuclear debris in deep space is pointless bcuz there are enough elements in outer space like solar radiatons and gamma radiatios that are as dangerous as nuclear radiations. After all, nobody is going to outer space without protective gears.

 

[third eye]

I dont think so as long as its far away from earth. concern about nuclear debris in deep space is pointless bcuz there are enough elements in outer space like solar radiatons and gamma radiatios that are as dangerous as nuclear radiations. After all, nobody is going to outer space without protective gears.

You have a point. But I am looking at a situation when this becomes the convention.

Who knows what the implications of such moves would be 50 yrs from now.