{"id":121487,"date":"2026-08-28T13:56:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T08:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=121487"},"modified":"2026-08-28T13:56:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T08:26:54","slug":"chandrayaan-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/chandrayaan-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Chandrayaan 1 Mission, Launch Date, Timeline, Discoveries"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Chandrayaan 1<\/strong> was India\u2019s first mission to the Moon and first deep space mission. It was launched by ISRO on October 22, 2008, using PSLV C11 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The 1,380 kg spacecraft entered lunar orbit on November 8, 2008. The mission made a major contribution to the discovery of water on the Moon and operated until August 28, 2009.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is Mission Chandrayaan 1?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Chandrayaan 1<\/strong> was India\u2019s first lunar space probe developed to study the Moon through remote sensing and an impact probe. It mapped the lunar surface in visible, infrared and X ray wavelengths. The key features of the Mission Chandrayaan 1 are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/satellite-launch-vehicles\/\" target=\"_blank\">Launch Vehicle<\/a>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/pslv-polar-satellite-launch-vehicle\/\" target=\"_blank\">PSLV<\/a><\/strong> C11<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Launch Site: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Launch Date: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October 22, 2008<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Organization: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/isro\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cost: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">about Rs. 386 Crores<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>End of Mission: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">August 29, 2009 (communication lost)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Chandrayaan 1 Objectives<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chandrayaan 1 Mission focused on detailed lunar mapping, mineral studies, water ice searches and technology development for future lunar missions.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Lunar Mapping:<\/strong> It aimed to prepare three dimensional maps of the near and far sides of the Moon with 5-10 metre spatial and altitude resolution.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Mineral Mapping:<\/strong> The mission studied the Moon\u2019s chemical and <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/mineral-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>mineral<\/strong><\/a> composition, including magnesium, <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/aluminium-ore\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>aluminium<\/strong><\/a>, silicon, calcium, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/iron-ore\/\" target=\"_blank\">iron<\/a><\/strong> and titanium.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Water Ice Search:<\/strong> Chandrayaan 1 searched for surface and subsurface water ice, particularly in the permanently shadowed polar regions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Polar Studies:<\/strong> It examined the north and south polar regions and studied lunar highland rocks, craters and the South Pole Aitken Region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Technology Testing:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/moon\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Moon<\/strong><\/a> Impact Probe tested systems and provided experience for future landing missions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Chandrayaan 1 Timeline<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chandrayaan 1 Mission progressed through planning, launch, lunar orbit insertion, scientific operations and an early communication loss.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Planning:<\/strong> The idea of an Indian lunar mission emerged in 1999. The Astronautical Society of India supported planning in 2000. Over 100 scientists endorsed the proposal in April 2003.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Approval:<\/strong> The government formally approved Chandrayaan 1 in November 2003 after ISRO\u2019s National Lunar Mission Task Force assessed India\u2019s capability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Launch:<\/strong> PSLV C11 launched Chandrayaan 1 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. Its launch mass was 1,380 kg.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Lunar Orbit:<\/strong> After successive orbit raising manoeuvres, the spacecraft entered lunar orbit. It was gradually lowered to an operational altitude of 100 km.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Impact Probe:<\/strong> The 29 kg Moon Impact Probe was released from 100 km altitude. It impacted near the lunar south pole after a 25 minute descent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Orbit Change:<\/strong> The spacecraft was moved to a 200 km lunar orbit because of abnormally high temperatures affecting operations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Mission End:<\/strong> Radio contact with Chandrayaan 1 was lost. The mission had completed at least 95% of its objectives before ending.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Chandrayaan 1 Structure and Design<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chandrayaan 1 combined an Indian spacecraft platform with scientific instruments from several international partners.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Spacecraft:<\/strong> The cuboid spacecraft measured about 1.5 metres. It used three axis stabilisation and carried reaction wheels, sensors, gyroscopes and attitude control thrusters.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Power System:<\/strong> A solar panel generated about 750 W of peak power. A 36 Ah <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/lithium-ion-battery\/\" target=\"_blank\">lithium ion battery<\/a><\/strong> supplied power during eclipses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Propulsion:<\/strong> Its propulsion system used one 440 N engine and eight 22 N thrusters for lunar orbit insertion and orbital control.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Scientific Payload:<\/strong> The spacecraft carried 11 scientific instruments. Five were Indian instruments and six came from international partners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Indian Instruments:<\/strong> Major payloads included TMC, HySI, LLRI, HEX, CIXS and MIP. TMC produced 5 metre resolution stereo images.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>International Instruments:<\/strong> NASA contributed M3 and Mini SAR. ESA contributed SIR 2 and SARA. Bulgaria provided RADOM 7.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Chandrayaan 1 Findings<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chandrayaan 1 generated important evidence about lunar water, minerals, topography and the Moon\u2019s surface environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Water on Moon:<\/strong> NASA\u2019s M3 detected absorption features associated with hydroxyl and water bearing materials. The findings provided crucial evidence of water on the lunar surface.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Water Evidence by MIP:<\/strong> CHACE recorded 650 mass spectra during the Moon Impact Probe\u2019s descent. Its observations indicated the presence of water in the lunar atmosphere.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Magmatic Water:<\/strong> Later analysis of M3 data provided evidence of water molecules locked within mineral grains, indicating water originating from the Moon\u2019s interior.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Lunar Mapping:<\/strong> TMC produced more than 70,000 three dimensional images. TMC and HySI together covered about 70% of the lunar surface.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Polar Observations:<\/strong> Mini SAR provided coverage of both polar regions and investigated possible water ice. LLRI also studied both lunar poles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Mineral Detection:<\/strong> C1XS detected titanium and confirmed calcium. It also obtained measurements of magnesium, aluminium and iron.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Lunar Caves:<\/strong> Chandrayaan 1 imagery identified an uncollapsed section of a lunar lava tube near the equator. The feature was about 2 km long and 360 metres wide.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Tectonic Activity:<\/strong> Mini SAR data revealed faults and fractures that indicated past tectonic activity on the lunar surface.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Chandrayaan 1 Significance<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chandrayaan 1 established India as an important participant in lunar exploration and created scientific and technological foundations for later missions.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Water Discovery:<\/strong> Its observations transformed understanding of lunar resources by providing strong evidence that water and hydroxyl exist on the Moon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>International Cooperation:<\/strong> The mission carried instruments developed by India, the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Bulgaria.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Scientific Advancement:<\/strong> It improved knowledge of lunar topography, mineral composition, chemical characteristics, polar regions and solar wind interactions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Future Missions:<\/strong> The mission developed capabilities valuable for later interplanetary and lunar exploration, including landing related technology through the Moon Impact Probe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Mission Success:<\/strong> Although planned for two years, Chandrayaan 1 ended in August 2009. ISRO stated that at least 95% of its mission objectives had been achieved.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Chandrayaan Missions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chandrayaan 1 began India\u2019s dedicated lunar exploration programme. Further Chandrayaan Missions\u00a0 subsequently expanded its objectives.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Chandrayaan 1:<\/strong> Launched in 2008, it orbited the Moon and deployed the Moon Impact Probe. Its major achievement was evidence of water on the Moon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/chandrayaan-2\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chandrayaan 2<\/a>:<\/strong> Launched on July 22, 2019, using GSLV Mark III. It consisted of an orbiter, Vikram lander and Pragyan rover. Communication with Vikram was lost at about 2 km altitude before landing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/chandrayaan-3\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chandrayaan 3<\/a>:<\/strong> Launched as India\u2019s first successful lunar landing mission. It achieved a soft landing in the Moon\u2019s south polar region in 2023.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/isros-chandrayaan-4-mission\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chandrayaan 4<\/a>:<\/strong> Planned for around 2027-2028, it will target the Mons Mouton region near the Moon\u2019s south pole and return about 3 kg of lunar regolith and rock samples to Earth using five modules.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/chandrayaan-5-mission\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chandrayaan 5 \/ LUPEX<\/a>:<\/strong> A joint ISRO-JAXA mission targeted for 2028-2029, it will study south polar water ice deposits using an ISRO lander and a JAXA rover weighing about 350 kg.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn about Chandrayaan 1 mission, launch, objectives, timeline, design, findings, water discovery, significance and future Chandrayaan missions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":121399,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[9126,9848,8873,4699],"class_list":["post-121487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-general-studies","tag-chandrayaan","tag-chandrayaan-1","tag-indian-space","tag-isro-missions-list","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=121487"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121487\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":121493,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121487\/revisions\/121493"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/121399"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=121487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=121487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=121487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}