• Mission Overview
• Launch and Orbital Insertion
• Lunar Exploration and Discoveries
• Communication and Data Transmission
• End of Mission

Mission Overview:

Chandrayaan-1 was India's first lunar mission, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission's primary objectives were to explore the Moon, conduct scientific experiments, and demonstrate India's capabilities in deep space exploration. Chandrayaan-1 aimed to achieve various scientific goals, including studying the Moon's topography, mineral composition, and searching for water ice.

Launch and Orbital Insertion:

• Launch: Chandrayaan-1 was launched on October 22, 2008, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Srihari Kota, India, using a PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) C11 rocket.
• Orbital Insertion: After launch, the spacecraft went through a series of orbit-raising manoeuvres to gradually reach lunar vicinity. On November 8, 2008, it successfully entered lunar orbit. It underwent several orbital adjustments before settling into a circular orbit at an altitude of about 100 kilometres (62 miles) above the lunar surface.

Lunar Exploration and Discoveries:

• High-Resolution Imaging: Chandrayaan-1 was equipped with a Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC) and a Moon Impact Probe (MIP). The TMC captured high-resolution images of the lunar surface, contributing to the creation of detailed lunar maps.
• Mapping Lunar Water: The mission made a groundbreaking discovery by confirming the presence of water molecules on the Moon, primarily in the form of water ice in the polar regions. This was achieved through Chandrayaan-1's Moon Impact Probe and the Moon Impact Probe Chandra's Altitudinal Composition (CHACE) instrument.
• Mineral Composition: Chandrayaan-1's Moon Impact Probe and the Moon Impact Probe C1's X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS) provided information on the mineral composition of the lunar surface. This data helped scientists gain insights into the Moon's geological history.
• Mapping the Lunar Surface: The spacecraft conducted extensive mapping of the lunar surface, identifying various geological features, including craters, mountains, valleys, and more. These observations contributed to lunar science and understanding the Moon's terrain.

Communication and Data Transmission:

Chandrayaan-1 communicated with ISRO's ground stations in India using its S-band, X-band, and C-band transponders. The orbiter transmitted data and images back to Earth, enabling scientists to receive critical information and research findings. Effective communication was vital for the mission's scientific objectives.

End of Mission:

The Chandrayaan-1 mission was initially planned to last for two years. However, it encountered technical difficulties that led to its premature end. On August 29, 2009, ISRO announced the loss of communication with the spacecraft. It was later determined that an overheating issue, caused by the failure of the star sensors, was the root cause of the mission's termination. Although it was declared lost, Chandrayaan-1 had already achieved several important milestones and discoveries during its brief operational period, contributing significantly to lunar science and India's space exploration efforts.