First flight 22 October 2008 Started 22 October 2008 | Last flight 22 October 2008 Missions Chandrayaan-1 | |
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The Indian Lunar Exploration Programme (Sanskrit: चन्द्रयान Chandrayāna, lit: Moon vehicle pronunciation ), also known as the Chandrayaan programme, is an ongoing series of outer space missions by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The programme incorporates a lunar orbiter and future lunar lander & rover spacecraft.
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Programme structure
The Chandrayaan (Indian Lunar Exploration Programme) programme is a multiple mission programme; as of mid-2016 only one orbiter has been sent to the Moon, using ISRO's workhorse PSLV rocket. The second spacecraft is being readied for a late 2016-early 2017 launch using the GSLV rocket.
Phase I: Orbital missions
The first phase includes the launch of the first lunar orbiters.
Phase II: Soft landers/rovers
The second phase, under preparation as of 2016, will incorporate spacecraft capable of soft-landing on the Moon and will also deploy a robotic rover on the lunar surface.