Evaluation of Associated Motion Parameters of Descending Moon Impact Probe (MIP) of Chandrayan-1 from Time Sequential Images

The MIP, a micro satellite probe onboard Chandrayaan -1 was designed to impact on moon surface at pre decided location for scientific data collection from close range which was released from Chandrayaan-1 mother ship on 14th November 2008. This MIP impacted near the moon surface near south-pole after 24 minutes from its release and while descending MIP suffered a composite motions consisting of three fundamental motions viz. spinning, coning and forward translational (velocity). Such descending MIP showed a definite pattern of coverage on moon surface. Therefore in order to monitor and to select future landing site of impact on moon surface the associated component of motion viz.; spinning rate, coning rate, velocity of descend of MIP needs to be calculated and known. In view of this, an attempt has been made here to derive associated parameters of composite motions and attitude of MIP for predicting future impact site of descending probe on moon surface from the orbiting space craft using the time sequential images acquired by the descending MIP and the algorithm developed under MATLAB after Srivastava et. al. 2011.