Brief
India launched its first lunar mission, Chandrayaan‑1, on Oct. 21 2008
The Chandrayaan‑1 orbiter and impactor lifted off at 8:52 p.m. EDT, entered lunar orbit three weeks later and returned data for about a year.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Oct. 21, 2008 the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched Chandrayaan‑1, the country's first mission to the Moon, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle‑XL (PSLV‑XL). The launch occurred at 8:52 p.m. EDT (about 6:22 a.m. local time on Oct. 22).
What happened
Chandrayaan‑1 consisted of an orbiter and a Moon Impact Probe. After launch the spacecraft entered lunar orbit on Nov. 8, 2008, roughly three weeks later. The impact probe detached and crashed into the Moon on Nov. 14, 2008. The orbiter continued to collect and transmit data for about a year, losing contact in August 2009, roughly 14 months short of its planned two‑year mission.
What the reports add
Space.com notes that the mission carried 11 scientific instruments, five built by ISRO and the remainder supplied by the European Space Agency, NASA, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Bulgaria. NASA’s Mini‑SAR instrument detected more than 40 small craters containing water ice, ranging from 1 to 9 miles (2 to 15 km) in diameter. The agency also reported that in September 2009 scientists published data from the American M3 instrument showing absorption features linked to hydroxyl‑ and water‑bearing molecules on the lunar polar regions.
What was said
NASA wrote that “at least 95 % of its mission objectives had been accomplished” despite the early loss of contact. The agency also said the Mini‑SAR findings provided “evidence of water ice on the Moon.”
How it came about
Chandrayaan‑1 marked ISRO’s first deep‑space mission and a milestone for India’s ambition to develop crewed spacecraft and a space station. The success of the mission paved the way for later lunar efforts: Chandrayaan‑2 launched in 2019 (orbiter succeeded, lander failed) and Chandrayaan‑3 landed successfully in 2023. ISRO plans a Chandrayaan‑4 sample‑return mission for 2028.
Key facts
- Chandrayaan‑1 launched on Oct. 21 2008 at 8:52 p.m. EDT from Satish Dhawan Space Centre aboard a PSLV‑XL. (space.com)
- The spacecraft entered lunar orbit on Nov. 8 2008 and the impact probe crashed on Nov. 14 2008. (space.com)
- Contact with the orbiter was lost in August 2009, 14 months early. (space.com)
- The mission carried 11 instruments, five Indian and six international, including NASA’s Mini‑SAR that detected water‑ice craters. (space.com)
- NASA said about 95 % of mission objectives were achieved despite early termination. (space.com)
Sources
- [1] space.com — originally reported as “On this day in space! Oct. 21, 2008: India launches its 1st mission to the moon with Chandrayaan-1”
