India and Solar System Exploration
9-07-10
In 1982 the Indian Space Research Organization announced ambitious plans to conduct planetary exploration missions, specifically identifying Mars, Mercury, and Venus as high priority candidates. The missions, which could commence around the turn of the century, would be launched by India's GSLV, now scheduled for its maiden flight in 1998. A proposed 250-kg class Mercury orbiter has already attracted some attention with a suite of scientific instruments which could include high-resolution cameras, magnetometers, and multi-band radiometers and spectrometers. No program commitments had been made by the end of 1994 (References 124-126).
In August 2003 the Prime minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee, has made official that which already was known months ago. During the speech of the Day of the Independence of the nation, he stated that India will construct and send in 2008 year the first space probe -- Chandrayan-1 -- towards the Moon. This will be the beginning of a more ambitious program of planetary exploration that will include landings on the Moon and trips to other planets like Mars or Venus. The ship will have an approximated weight of 525 kgs, will follow a polar orbit 100 kms. on the Moon and will be sent with a modified version of Indian rocket PSLV, with a considered cost of 80 million euros for the mission. Between the main objectives is the obtaining of hi-res images, in infrared and X-rays. In addition, a space in the ship has been arranged to welcome some instrument of the international community. Many critics have arisen around this program, considered unnecessary for a as poor nation as India, with million people without food, home, education or health. The Indian government considers a question of national prestige.
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