A satellite that India launched carries systems to seek ice in polar regions of the moon that are aided by new technologies, Raytheon Co. [RTN] announced.

The Forerunner miniaturized-radio frequency system was delivered by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to the Indian Space Research Organization in March, integrated onto the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, and launched into orbit Oct. 22 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, India.

Under contract to the U.S. Navy, Raytheon provided the antenna, transmitter, analog receiver and software for the Forerunner mini-RF system. The company also supplied system engineering and integration and test support.

Raytheon provided similar modules and support under the same contract for NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter program. The LRO spacecraft is currently undergoing environmental testing and is scheduled for launch in March.

Raytheon’s work on the Forerunner program takes advantage of the company’s experience in support of the Department of Defense operationally responsive space initiative, which calls for smaller, less expensive satellites that can provide scientific or tactical information on an as-needed basis.

Because of its low development cost and miniaturization, the mini-RF technology provides a wealth of sensing capabilities in a relatively inexpensive and easily adapted platform.