Shadow
10-22-2008, 01:08 AM
India launches first Moon mission
By Paul Rincon
Science reporter, BBC News
India sets sights on Moon
India has successfully launched its first mission to the Moon.
The unmanned Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft blasted off from a launch pad in southern Andhra Pradesh to embark on a two-year mission of exploration.
The robotic probe will orbit the Moon, compiling a 3-D atlas of the lunar surface and mapping the distribution of elements and minerals.
The launch is regarded as a major step for India as it seeks to keep pace with other space-faring nations in Asia.
An Indian-built launcher carrying the one-and-a-half-tonne satellite blasted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at about 0650 local time (0050 GMT).
here:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7679818.stm
By Paul Rincon
Science reporter, BBC News
India sets sights on Moon
India has successfully launched its first mission to the Moon.
The unmanned Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft blasted off from a launch pad in southern Andhra Pradesh to embark on a two-year mission of exploration.
The robotic probe will orbit the Moon, compiling a 3-D atlas of the lunar surface and mapping the distribution of elements and minerals.
The launch is regarded as a major step for India as it seeks to keep pace with other space-faring nations in Asia.
An Indian-built launcher carrying the one-and-a-half-tonne satellite blasted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at about 0650 local time (0050 GMT).
here:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7679818.stm