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The Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO), after its successful launch of ten satellites, has announced to start its ambitious Moon Mission Chandrayaan-I in the third quarter of 2008. Indian Space Scientists are planning to launch a 500 kg satellite that will orbit the moon for two years for lunar surface mapping and terrain mapping.
G Madhavan Nair, ISRO Chairman, remarked after the launch of ten satellites that all the instruments for Chandrayaan-I are ready. He further added that after a few tests, Chandrayaan-I is completely ready to be launched by the 3rd quarter of the year. However, Mr. Nair admitted that it is too early to attempt a human landing mission on moon.
The launch of Chandrayaan-I will take place with the help of a special vehicle of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) called PSLV-XL, which is currently being prepared. Mr. Nair also revealed that India’s first manned space flight can be expected in seven years.
