Google Lunar Xprize Helps Bangalore’s Team Indus to Make it Happen

Bangalore-based startup, Team Indus, has secured a place in Google Lunar Xprize’s privately-funded space program and has received a funding of $1 million. This marks India’s first private space mission.

Google Lunar Xprize is…..

A competition that backs entrepreneurs in executing their mission-to-moon plans. Additionally, it offers a prize money of $30 million to the first team whose rover lands on the moon, walks up to a distance of 500 meters and transmits HD images and videos. The team that comes second gets to win $5 million.

Team Indus is…..

A startup that has come up with a mission to launch a rover to the moon’s surface. The mission is expected to launch by July 2017 and the travel time to moon is expected to be around 20 days. They have made a compact rover weighing only 20 kgs with state-of-the-art design and ability to withstand any comprehendible faults while on its course. Code-named HHK1, it will cover a distance of about 40,00,000 kms in 20 days at a top speed of 10.4 kms/sec. With the decelerating ability of 3000 mts/sec., it will ensure a smooth landing.

Lab 2 Moon

Since it can carry a maximum payload of 250 gms, Team Indus is carrying on a campaign, “Lab 2 Moon’ and asking students between age-groups 14-25 years to suggest the contents of the payload. The rover will be launched from Sriharikota space center, where the ISRO scientists are right now helping them with expert advice.

The Path to Moon

The PSLV will carry the rover to the initial orbit of the moon from where on the rover will be on its own. The team has in place 4 Earth-bound and 4 Moon-bound orbits and one decent trajectory. The rover will travel these paths in order to reach the Moon’s surface.

What payload would you suggest? Do leave your comments below. We want to listen to some ideas, as crazy as they can get.

Takeaways:-

• Backed by Google Lunar Xprize, Bangalore based startup, Team Indus, will be launching India’s first private space exploration program.
• The mission is expected to launch by July 2017.
• The rover weighs 20 kgs, with a payload carrying capacity of 250 gms.
• Code-named HHK1, it will cover a distance of about 40,00,000 kms in 20 days at a top speed of 10.4 kms/sec. With the decelerating ability of 3000 mts/sec., it will ensure a smooth landing.