"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
1 Aug 2017
Space enthusiasts can look forward to two moon missions to be launched from the country in early 2018. Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is preparing to launch Chandrayan II next year. It will be an advanced version of the previous 2008 mission with the objective of a deeper lunar probe.
The other mission is that of a group of space enthusiasts named Team Indus who have participated in a global lunar competition with the aim to win and unfurl the tricolor on the moon’s surface.
IIT – Delhi alumnus Rahul Narayan is the head of Team Indus which consist of mostly young engineers who are working towards the goal of winning the $30 million Google Lunar XPRIZE. The contest entails that the rover of a competing team has to move 500 metre on the moon's surface and should be able to beam back high-definition images back to Earth.
Team Indus is intent on fulfilling its ambition and has roped in investors like Infosys co-founder and former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani and space experts such as former Isro chairman K Kasturirangan. It is also seeking assistance from many experienced old hands from the Indian space agency.
Team Indus will launch its spacecraft from PSLV rocket whereas Chandrayan II has a heavier payload (combined launch mass: 3,250 kg) comprising orbiter, lander and rover to the moon. Therefore, Isro is planning to GSLV Mk II for its launch.
