ISRO-MOON TRIP

ISRO has already made it clear that the Indian lunar mission will not be an exercise in reinventing the wheel. Chandrayaan-1 will strive to unravel the hitherto unknown features of the moon for the first time. Moreover, Dr. Nair points out that a lunar mission can provide impetus to science in India, a challenge to technology and possibly a new dimension to international cooperation.

The scientific objectives of Chandrayaan-1 include preparation of the three dimensional atlas of the regions on the moon and the chemical mapping of the entire lunar surface.

ISRO is serious about the potential availability of water on the moon. The

Indian scientific community is of view that the availability of water—essential to sustain life—could fuel an international race to reinvestigate the moon from fresh perspective.

Similarly, the abundant availability of helium, a clean source of energy, is yet another attraction to probe the moon. Scientific community in India is clear that an area that needs to be pursued seriously is the mining of helium and bringing it back to the earth for power generation.

More than three decades ago, Dr.Vikram Sarabhai, the architect of the Indian space programme outlined what he considered should be India’s objectives in space. "We don’t have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or manned flights. But we are convinced that to play a meaningful role nationally and in the community of the nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problem of man and society which we find in our country."

But then, in the context of the rapid strides made by India in computer programming, nuclear energy and stem cell research, the lunar probe is but a reflection of the nation’s will. *****