| Chandrayaan-1 X-ray
Spectrometer (C1XS) |
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| Scientific Objective: |
| The primary goal of the C1XS instrument is to carry out high quality X-ray spectroscopic mapping of the Moon, in order to constrain solutions to key questions on the origin and evolution of the Moon. C1XS will use X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (1.0-10 keV) to measure the elemental abundance, and map the distribution, of the three main rock forming elements: Mg, Al and Si. During periods of enhanced solar activity (solar flares) events, it may be possible to determine the abundance of minor elements such as Ca, Ti and Fe on the surface of the Moon. |
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| Payload Configuration Details: |
| The instrument utilises technologically innovative Swept Charge Device (SCD) X-ray sensors, which are mounted behind low profile gold/copper collimators and aluminium/polycarbonate thin film filters. The system has the virtue of providing superior X-ray detection, spectroscopic and spatial measurement capabilities, while also operating at near room temperature. A deployable proton shield protects the SCDs during passages through the Earth’s radiation belts, and from major particle events in the lunar orbit. In order to record the incident solar X-ray flux at the Moon, which is needed to derive absolute lunar elemental surface abundances, C1XS also includes an X-ray Solar Monitor.
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| The XSM sensor unit |
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| The X-ray Solar Monitor (XSM) is provided through collaboration between Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) and University of Helsinki. With its wide field-of-view of ± 52 degrees, XSM provides observation of the solar X-ray spectrum from 1-20 keV with good energy resolution (< 250 keV@5.9 keV) and fast spectral sampling at 16 s intervals. |
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| Throughout the normal solar conditions, C1XS will be able to detect abundance of Mg, Al and Si in the lunar surface. During solar flare events, it may additionally be possible to detect other elements such as Ca, Ti and Fe. The onboard solar monitor acting in real time will greatly enhance the capability of C1XS to determine absolute elemental abundances as well as their ratios. The total mass of C1XS and XSM is 5.2 kg. |
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| Heritage: |
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| The C1XS instrument is primarily based on the D-CIXS instrument on the ESA SMART-1 mission.
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| Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS) is realised primarily through ESA funds with partial support from ISRO. The hardware has been developed at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK in collaboration with the ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore and exhibits significant improvements over the instrument flown on SMART-1. |
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| For Further Infomation: |
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| Rutherford Appleton Laboratory D-CIXS website: |
| http://www.sstd.rl.ac.uk/SMART-1/index.htm |
| Rutherford Appleton Laboratory C1XS website: |
| http://www.sstd.rl.ac.uk/c1xs/ |
| Aberystwyth C1XS website: |
| http://www.aber.ac.uk |
University of Helsinki |
| http://www.helsinki.fi/university/ |
Oxford Instruments Analytical |
| http://www.oxford-instruments.com/ |
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