The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently made public the first collection of data from its second lunar probe, Chandrayaan-2. Following the success of Chandrayaan-1, India launched its successor from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 22nd, 2019. ISRO has also announced plans to launch a third lunar mission, dubbed Chandrayaan-3, in late 2021 or early 2022.
Standard Requirement for Public Release of Data
For the data from Chandrayaan-2 to be released to the public, certain requirements had to be fulfilled. This included conforming to the Planetary Data System-4 (PDS4) standard and undergoing scientific and technical peer reviews. Having successfully satisfied these conditions, the data is now being disseminated widely through the PRADAN portal, hosted by the Indian Space Science Data Centre (ISSDC). ISSDC serves as the main repository for planetary data gained from ISRO’s missions.
Current Data
As of now, the ISRO Science Data Archive (ISDA) holds datasets retrieved by Chandrayaan-2 payloads from seven different instruments. These datasets were collected during a period spanning from September 2019 to February 2020. The ISDA is ISRO’s long-term archival facility for data gathered during its planetary missions.
Data Implications
According to the initial analyses, all experiments have been performing admirably, with the data implying that the mission has the capability to deliver on its pre-launch commitments.
About Chandrayaan-2
Weighing approximately 3,877 kg, Chandrayaan-2 is a tripartite spacecraft composed of an orbiter, a lander named Vikram (after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai), and a rover called Pragyan (meaning ‘wisdom’). Each component is fitted with instruments for conducting scientific studies of the moon. Chandrayaan-2 marked India’s first endeavor to land on the lunar surface, with ISRO targeting a touchdown on the South Pole. Unfortunately, the Vikram lander made a hard landing in September of the same year. Its orbiter, however, continues its mission in lunar orbit, with a projected lifespan of seven years.
Mission Objectives
Key objectives of the Chandrayaan-2 mission include studying evidence of water molecules as indicated by Chandrayaan-1, mapping the extent and distribution of water on the moon, and investigating the moon’s topography, seismography, composition, and atmosphere. Scientists also aim to scrutinize ancient rocks and craters to gain insights about the origin and evolution of the moon and potentially discover fossil records of early solar systems, thereby enriching our understanding of our own solar system. Lastly, the spacecraft is tasked with mapping the lunar surface and generating three-dimensional maps.
