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M3 AND INDIA'S FIRST MISSION TO THE MOON

The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) is one of two instruments that NASA is contributing to India's first mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-1 (meaning "Lunar Craft" in ancient Sanskrit), which launched on October 22, 2008. M3 is a state-of-the-art imaging spectrometer that will provide the first map of the entire lunar surface at high spatial and spectral resolution, revealing the minerals of which it is made.

Scientists will use this information to answer questions about the Moon's origin and development and the evolution of terrestrial planets in the early solar system. Future astronauts will use it to locate resources, possibly including water, that can support exploration of the Moon and beyond.

NEWS AND UPDATES

  • October 25, 2008: The second orbit-raising maneuver of the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft was carried out on October 25 at 00:18 UTC. This is the first time an Indian spacecraft has gone beyond 36,000 km.

  • The Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft successfully lifted off the pad in India at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota on schedule, October 22, 2008 at 00:52:02 UTC.

  • The M3 Instrument's survival heaters and decontamination heaters have been successfully enabled.

  • M3 Education and Public Outreach Website is now online: http://m3.cofc.edu/

  • View photographs of Chandrayaan-1 Spacecraft and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C11)

  • View the Chandrayaan-1 brochure


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    M3 Mission Overview

    Launch: October 22, 2008 00:52:02 UTC

    Launch Vehicle: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, India

    Spacecraft: Chandrayaan-1, India

    Launch Site: SDSC, India

    Cruise Time: 5.5 days

    Lunar Orbit: 100 km, polar

    Mission Duration: 2 years (four two-month optimal imaging geometry with global access)

    Field of View: 40 km

    Imaging modes:   Global (140 m res)   Targeted (70 m res)

    Ground Stations: Bangalore, India

    Science Data: ISRO to JPL to Science Team

    All communication with ISRO is ITAR controlled

    The M3 Instrument is funded by NASA as a Discovery Program Mission of Opportunity
    FIRST GOV + JPL Privacy Statement NASA Logo
    Curator: Thomas A Glavich  
    Science Writer: Bob Silberg  
    Webmaster: Maryia Davis  
    JPL Clearance: CL06-3653  
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