When ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-Xl (PSLV-X1) lifts off around December 28, 2017, with India's first private mission to the moon by
Team Indus, it promises to be a historical event.
It is for the first time in the history of space exploration that a rocket will be flying three rovers.
Of the three rovers in this private moon mission, two are from Japan and one belongs to Team Indus.
The PSLV-XL has launched 20 satellites in one go on June 22, 2016.
This marks the first time the PSLV will demonstrate the capability of carrying three rovers placed into a lander.
The powerful rocket will launch 83 satellites in a single mission.
According to the organisers of the global lunar competition, Google Lunar X Prize, "the Japanese Team, Hakuto, is facing the challenges with its unique dual rover system consisting of the two-wheeled 'Tetris,' and the four-wheeled 'Moonraker', which are linked by a tether".
The organisers added that while Tetris will explore holes thought to be caves in the moon, Moonraker will capture 360-degree images.
Team Indus's new-look sleek rover is solar-powered and the mission duration is one lunar day - equivalent to 14 earth days.
The Team Indus lander can carry up to 20kg of payload at a time.
PSLV- The PSLV is one of world's most reliable launch vehicles.
- It has been in service for over twenty years.
- PSLV remains a favourite among various organisations as a launch service provider and has launched over 40 satellites for 19 countries.
- In 2008 it created a record for most number of satellites placed in orbit in one launch by launching 10 satellites into various Low Earth Orbits.
It has launched various satellites for historic missions like
- Chandrayaan-1
- Mars Orbiter Mission
- Space Capsule Recovery Experiment
- Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)
