Micro/Nano-satellite-based Planetary Exploration: Study of noble gases in the lunar exosphere using CHACE mass spectrometer in the Moon Impact Probe (MIP) in Chandrayaan-1

In 2008, a microsatellite called Moon Impact Probe (MIP) was launched as a piggyback to the Chandrayaan-1 orbiter during India's first lunar mission. MIP was an impactor, which weighed ~35 kg, and was a half-meter sized cuboid, with its own propulsion system. It studied the Moon from a close range, during its travel from 100 km lunar altitude, till the surface, covering a latitude range of 40 deg N to 89 deg S, along the 14 deg E meridian. In the history of India's planetary exploration, so far, that was the only microsatellite launched.