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The European contribution will be as follows:
>> A low energy (0.5-10 keV) X-ray spectrometer called
Chandrayaan Imaging X-Ray Spectrometer from Rutherford Appleton
Laboratory, UK, to measure elemental abundance distributed over
the lunar surface using X-ray fluorescence technique. It will also
include X-ray solar monitor to record the incident solar X-ray flux.
>> Near Infra-Red (IR) Spectrometer from Max Planck
Institute of Aeronomie, Germany, to detect and measure lunar mineral
abundances.
>> Sub keV Atom Reflecting Analyser from Swedish Institute
of Space Physics, developed in collaboration with India, to measure
volatiles generated due to solar wind impacting on lunar surface
and determine the surface magnetic field anomalies.
Europe will also contribute to the Indian experiment, namely, High
Energy X-ray Spectrometer. The European instruments will complement
the following main Indian experiments on Chandrayaan-1:
>> Terrain Mapping Camera with stereo imaging capability
operating in panchromatic band with 5 m spatial resolution and 20
km swath.
>> A Hyper-Spectral Imager operating in 400-900 nm
band with a spectral resolution of 15 nm, a spatial resolution of
80 m and 20 km swath.
>> A Lunar Laser Ranging Instrument with a vertical
resolution of better than 5 m.
>> A High Energy X-ray (10-250 keV) spectrometer with
a footprint of 20 km to detect radio nuclei.
In addition, an Impact Probe has been included in the mission
for proving technological elements required for future landing missions,
stated an official release.
Chandrayaan-1 is planned for launch by 2007-08 on board India's
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. The 525 kg satellite will be placed
in 100 km polar orbit around the moon and it will have a life time
of two years.
Indian and ESA scientists will share the data from the European
instruments as per the agreement signed today, the release added.
Also read:
Isro
looks to put a 'robot on the moon'
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