The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which is looking to launch Chandrayaan-3 next year is creating an artificial Moon crater in Ullarthi Kavalu, Challakere, it is about 215km from Bengaluru.
A source says that they have already started the process of identifying a firm for all the civil works and the works will be completed by month-end or early September. They also added a statement that it would cost at least Rs. 24.2 Lakh.
The artificial craters would be 10 metres in diameter and have 3-metre depth. The crater is meant to simulate the lunar surface on which Chandrayaan-3 lander would land.
'The lander's sensors will undergo a crucial test - Lander Sensor Performance Test (LSPT) -- which will involve us flying the sensors on an aircraft over the artificial lunar site and see how efficient they are in guiding the lander' a scientist said.
Just like Chandrayaan-2, India's next lunar mission will also be highly autonomous, using multiple sensors, including those designed to help the lander assess its height from the landing spot, decide velocity and keep the craft away from boulders and uneven surface.
The test will see an Isro aircraft flying with the sensors descend from an altitude of 7km over the artificial lunar surface. From about 2km height, the sensors are expected to display its ability to guide the craft.
Isro had created similar crater for Chandrayan-2, but since these things are created on open land, the quality has deteriorated needing creation of fresh craters.
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