Chandrayaan-1

Chandrayaan-1 is the Indian Space Agency's first mission to the Moon.  Its mission is to map the lunar surface in 3-dimensions and to study the chemistry and mineralogy of the lunar surface.

UK involvement

The UK's contribution to the mission is a miniature sensor called C-CIXS, a micro-technology demonstrator of a planetary X-ray spectrometer. It is is based on the proven heritage of D-CIXS, which successfully demonstrated the technological capabilities of this technique when it flew around the Moon on ESAs SMART-1 spacecraft. The accompanying X-ray Solar Monitor (XSM) will study the sun for changes in X-ray flux and X-ray spectrum emission and will be used to calibrate the C1XS lunar data. For more details of UK involvement in Chandrayaan-1, click on the UK involvement map.

Chandrayaan-1 Links

Chandrayaan-1 mission homepage

SMART-1

SMART-1 was the European Space Agency's first mission to the Moon.  It tested out new technologies and mapped the geochemistry of the lunar surface.

Launched in September 2003, SMART-1 took a spiral route to the Moon, arriving in November 2004.   SMART-1's instruments gathered data about the Moon's surface, orbit and plasma environment. The mission ended successfully on September 3rd 2006 with a controlled impact into the Sea of Excellence on the lunar surface. Data from the mission will answer questions about the Moon's origin and evolution.

The European Space Agency used SMART-1 to test advanced technologies needed for future missions. The spacecraft was propelled towards the Moon by an innovative solar electric propulsion system. SMART-1's instruments used the latest miniaturisation technologies.

UK involvement

The UK's contribution to the mission was a miniature sensor called D-CIXS. The instrument took X-ray images of the Moon in order to investigate the chemical make-up of the lunar surface. D-CIXS represents a new generation of X-ray sensors that will be used on future missions to other planets. For more details of UK involvement in SMART-1, click on the UK involvement map.

SMART-1 Links

SMART-1 mission homepage

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory's D-CIXS page

Nine Planets introduction to the Moon