Chandrayaan-2 orbiter structure delivered to ISRO

Bengaluru, June 22

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) today announced handing over “orbiter craft module structure” of Chandrayaan-2 to the ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) here. Chandrayaan-2 is a two-module configuration spacecraft comprising the “orbiter craft” and the “lander craft”.

“The orbiter craft module structure is a 3 tonne category bus structure made out of a central composite cylinder, shear webs and deck panels,” said HAL chief T Suvarna Raju.

The Chandrayaan-2 mission is aimed at placing an orbiter around the moon and sending a lander and rover to the surface of the moon. It will be launched by a Geo-Stationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-MKII).

According to ISRO chairman Kiran Kumar, the lift-off of Chandrayaan-2 mission will take place sometime in 2017-18.

The HAL’s association with India’s space programme dates back to early 70s, when the HAL provided technical inputs and manufacturing support to the ISRO for realisation of light alloy structural assemblies for satellites and launch vehicles. — TNS