Chandrayaan-2 Mission

Chandrayaan-2 will be an advanced version of the previous Chandrayaan-1 mission to Moon.Chandrayaan-2 is configured as a two module system comprising of an Orbiter Craft module (OC) and a Lander Craft module (LC) carrying the Rover developed by ISRO. Both the modules are interfaced mechanically by an inter module adapter.  The functions of the two modules are as follows:

bulletThe Orbiter Craft with payloads onboard will orbit around the moon and perform the objectives of remote sensing the moon.  The payloads on the orbiter will conduct mineralogical and elemental studies of the Moon’s surface.

bulletThe Lander Craft with scientific payloads will soft land on the lunar surface at a predetermined location on the lunar surface.

bulletThe Rover is released by the Lander Craft and has the mission objective of performing mobility activities on low gravity and vacuum of Moon surface with Semi-Autonomous navigation and hazard avoidance capability. 


Orbiter and Lander in stacked configuration with Rover inside the Lander craft


The Orbiter payloads are : Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer (LASS) 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 metres of the lunar surface for the presence of different constituents including water ice; Imaging IR Spectrometer (IIRS) for the mapping of lunar surface over a wide wavelength range for the study of minerals, water molecules and hydroxyl present there; CHandra’s Atmospheric Composition Explorer (CHACE-2) to carry out a detailed study of the lunar exosphere and a Terrain Mapping Camera-2 (TMC-2) for preparing a three-dimensional map essential for studying the lunar mineralogy and geology.

The Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) and Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) payloads onboard Rover would perform elemental analysis of the lunar surface near the landing site.


Artist impression of the Rover

The Rover will be powered with a small solar panel  and  will have the capability to communicate to IDSN either through Lander Rover Communication System onboard the Lander or through the Orbiter Rover Communication System onboard the Orbiter.  The design and development of a 6 wheeled rover is under progress.