Summary: | Chandrayaan-2, is a joint lunar exploration mission proposed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA) and has a projected cost of 425 crore (US$90 million). The mission, proposed to be launched in 2013 by a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launch vehicle, includes a lunar orbiter and a lunar rover made in India as well as one lander built by Russia. According to ISRO, this mission will use and test various new technologies and conduct new' experiments. The wheeled rover will move on the lunar surface and will pick up soil or rock samples for on-site chemical analysis. The data will be sent to Earth through the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter. The team headed by Mylswamy Annadurai that was behind the success of the Chandrayaan-1 mission, is working on Chandrayaan-2. The Indian Government approved the mission in a meeting of the Union Cabinet held on 18 September 2008 chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. On November 12, 2007, representatives of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roskosme) and ISRO signed an agreement for the two agencies to work together on the Chandrayan-2 project ISRO will have the prime responsibility for the orbiter and rover, while Rinkomen will be responsible for the lander. The design of the space craft was completed in August 2009, with scientists from both countries conducting a joint review.
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