The moon impact probe (MIP) successfully landed on the lunar surface on November 14, 2008. Earlier the unmanned lunar space craft Chandrayaan-1 was maneuvered on the desired destination at lunar orbit (about 100 km above the moon's surface) on November 12. According to the chief of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), G. Madhavan Nair the probe landed on Moon's surface on Friday night without any difficulty. The MIP was released from Chandrayaan-1 placed in the lunar orbit. The ISRO chief claimed that some beautiful images of moon and earth have been sent by the MIP.

 

By launching the MIP successfully on lunar surface, India becomes the fourth country in the world to land a man-made object on Moon. The news of successful launch of the probe ushered massive excitement and joy among the scientific fraternity of India. The elated ISRO chief even said that India got moon, after the landing of MIP. Besides the 35-kg MIP, there are other scientific instruments which will be made operational to help Chandrayaan to carry on its exploration tasks for two years. The landing of MIP has also placed the national flag of India on Moon as the probe is painted with the tricolour on its four sides.