ISRO is Going Back To The Moon, And Here’s Why Round Two Will Be Special

In a significant development, the Indian Space Research Organisation is expected to launch the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which will be India’s second sojourn to the moon, later this year.
Of real significance is the fact that it will be the first-ever mission to soft-land on the moon’s south pole. “We have identified two locations and will be choosing one. No other moon mission has landed in this area,” said former ISRO chief AS Kiran Kumar, who retired last month, to the Times of India.
Reports indicate that the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II vehicle will carry the 3,300 kg payload (satellite). For the first Chandrayaan mission, the space research body had used the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

Chandrayaan-II landing site identified; rover to spend 14 days on lunar surface: ISRO chief

The team at ISRO is currently conducting simulations for its soft landing near the south pole of the moon at its Liquid Propulsion System Centre in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.

With ISRO also preparing the hardware for this journey, the launch is expected to take place sometime in April 2018 or even later in the year.

“After reaching the moon’s orbit, the lander will get detached from the orbiter and do a soft-landing near the south pole of the moon. The 6-wheeled rover fixed within the lander will get detached and move on the lunar surface. The rover has been designed in such a way that it will have the power to spend a lunar day (or 14 Earth days) on the moon’s surface and walk up to 150-200 metres. It will do several experiments and on-site chemical analysis of the surface,” said ISRO chairman Dr JK Sivan to the Times of India, detailing the contours of the operation.

The ISRO chairman went on to add that following this, the rover will transfer the necessary data and images back to Earth within 15 minutes.
Last month, ISRO said that it would further reduce the cost of its satellites and launch vehicles.

These attempts at reducing costs and allowing them to carry heavier payloads are being explored throughthe use of miniaturised avionics, advanced electronics and electronic propulsion system, among other mechanisms.

According to ISRO, the wheeled rover will drive on the lunar surface and will perform a chemical investigation on site. The information will be transmitted to Earth through the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter.
Weighing approximately 3290 kilograms, Chandrayaan-2, India’s second mission to the Moon is an entirely original mission including of an Orbiter, Lander and Rover. After approaching the 100 km lunar orbit, the Lander covering the Rover will depart from the Orbiter. After a controlled fall, the Lander will soft land on the lunar surface at a particularised site and dispose of the Rover. (Via thebetterindia)