Chandrayaan-I (Indian Lunar Craft-I) is an unmanned lunar exploration mission by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The mission includes a lunar orbiter as well as an impactor. The spacecraft will be launched by a modified version of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. The ISRO has identified Mylswamy Annadurai as Project Chief.
The spacecraft is scheduled for launch on October 22 with a window fixed between October 19 and October 28.
The scientific payload has a total mass of 90 kg and contains six Indian instruments and six foreign instruments.
The main mile stones in the development the first Indian moon mission are as follows.
1992:
· ISRO planned for the mission
· The plan for the first moon mission discussed at the annual conference of the Indian academy Of Sciences
2000:
A task force 100 scientists constituted to work out the technical aspects of the mission
Membership to International Moon Exploration Club sought
2001:
· Parliament’s approval given to go ahead with the mission
2003:
· Agreement with European Space Agency for the technical support reached
2004:
· Official declaration for sending the space craft for the exploration of the moon made
· Work to fabricate the space craft started
2005:
Concurrently, the work started for the second moon mission
2006:
US agreed to give two instruments to be carried on board
2008:
Fabrication work and laboratory testing for various functions done
Launch formalities completed for Oct 20, 2008
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