India's first moon mission blasts off India has successfully launched its first unmanned mission to the moon.
By Rahul Bedi in New Delhi Last Updated: 4:41AM BST 22 Oct 2008 The Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft blasted off from the Sriharikota space center in southern India at dawn, kicking off a two-year mission aimed at laying the groundwork for further Indian space expeditions. Chandrayaan means "Moon Craft" in ancient Sanskrit. "What we have started is a remarkable journey," said G. Madhavan Nair, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation. India's national television channels broadcast the event live. Some scientists thumped their chests, hugged each other and clapped as the rocket shot up into space. India is hoping the mission will boost its space programme into the same league as regional powerhouses Japan and China. Chief among the mission's goals is mapping not only the surface of the moon, but also what lies beneath. More here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/3238131/Indias-first-mission-moon-blasts-off.html
