Chandrayaan-1 will use several electromagnetic wavelengths – visible, near infrared, microwave, X-ray – to map the Moon’s minerals in unprecedented, high resolution, and study lunar geology and geochemistry.

The mission will:

• Analyse geological, mineralogical and topographical aspects of the lunar surface in unprecedented detail
• Study the vertical distribution of crustal material
• Investigate the processes that led to the formation of craters, maria and basins on the Moon
• Explore space weathering processes, that result from the interaction of the solar wind and cosmic rays with the Moon’s surface
• Analyse the magnetic anomalies on the lunar surface
• Search for ices at the poles
• Produce 3D maps of regions of particular scientific interest at high spatial resolution (5-10 m)
• Drop an impact probe on the lunar surface to test near-surface properties and test impact technology