13/02/2017
India chooses Russian Cm-244 sources for flights to the Moon
JSC Isotope supplied Cm-244 radiation sources of Russian manufacturer, JSC SSC RIAR, to Physical Research Laboratory (Ahmedabad, India).
Radionuclide curium-244 (Cm-244) is a pure alpha-emitter that enables sources to determine chemical composition of any rocks and soils. Supplied by JSC Isotope sources will be installed on the Alpha Proton X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) aimed at analyzing the lunar surface within the Indian space program Chandrayaan-2. The launch of spacecraft is scheduled for 2018.
Earlier similar Russian sources have been already supplied to the USA for launching of three NASA's expeditions - Mars Pathfinder (1997), Opportunity (2004) and Curiosity (2012) dedicated to explore rock chemistry on Mars. Besides, in 2014 important for the science and astronautics event took place. It was the world's first soft landing of the Rosetta spacecraft on Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The lander Philae, equipped with Cm-244 sources of Russian manufacture, transmitted high-accuracy data about Comet's surface composition to Earth.
In the world Cm-244 production is carried out only in two countries - Russia and the USA.
For reference:
Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) is a premier, national research institution, an autonomous unit under the aegis of the Department of Space, Government of India. PRL was founded in 1947 by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, PRL is known as the "cradle of space sciences" in India. The laboratory is engaged in basic research in Theoretical Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Solar & heliospheric Physics, and in Earth-, Planetary-, Atmospheric-, and Space- Sciences. The Laboratory has four campuses -two located at Ahmedabad and one each at Mt. Abu and Udaipur.
JSC Isotope - Joint Stock Company Isotope is a vital link that connects Russian isotope manufacturers and clients in foreign and domestic markets. JSC Isotope is the sole supplier of isotope products manufactured by ROSATOM State Corporation enterprises. Our client book holds more than 100 foreign customers in over 30 countries and more than 600 Russian companies.
JSC SSC RIAR -is the largest nuclear reactor research institute located in Dimitrovgrad city, Russia. RIAR operates six nuclear research reactors, the Europe's biggest reactor materials testing complex for PIE of the core components, fuel cycle R&D facilities, radiochemical complex and radioactive waste management facilities.