Sensor loss would not affect lifespan of Chandrayan: ISRO Chairman Nair

Bangalore, Jul 17 (ANI): The failure of the star-sensor will not reduce the two-year lifespan of Chandrayan-I spacecraft, G. Madhavan Nair, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said here on Friday.

He was speaking to the media after the report of loss of sensors of Chandrayan in the media.

It was reported that last month the prestigious Chandrayan mission lost one of its vital sensors. Nair described this loss of sensor as unfortunate.

Nair said the mission has achieved more than 90 percent of its objective, and there is no need to panic about the success of the mission.

ISRO launched its formidable Chandrayan I spacecraft from Satish Dhavan Space Centre in Shriharikota Andhra Pradesh in October 2008.

The star sensor, one of the prime sensors, was used for determining the spacecraft's altitude, looking at the stars, this sensor can determine the orientation of the moon spacecraft accurately, Nair said.

Nair informed the media the life period of the spacecraft is not dependent only on the sensors. The sensor is used for orientation of the spacecraft. He added that the lost sensor couldn't be recovered at this stage and the remaining part Chandrayan would be completed with the help of gyromodes.

According to sources ISRO is using gyroscopes, electro-mechanical devices used for Indian Remote Sensing (I R S) class of satellites, which gives the orientation accuracy quite satisfactorily.

Nair said the ISRO scientists has achieved more than 90 per cent of the scientific and mission objectives in the last eight months and the failure of sensors did not affect the research work. (ANI)