Chandrayaan-1, India’s first unmanned Moon mission – Tid bits & Analysis

For your benefit, updates on the present status of Chandrayaan-1 have been listed at the end of the article. Thanks for your understanding!

As a mark of success on its maiden attempt in the exploration of the romantic and intriguing Moon globe, Indian scientists at ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) have placed the Moon spacecraft into the Transfer Orbit around the earth. Powered by the indigenously designed and built Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C11), the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft carried 11 payloads – three from the European Space Agency (ESA), one from Bulgaria, two from NASA, and five designed and built in India.

Fast facts:

• PSLV, designed by ISRO, has had fourteen launches since 1993, deploying about 29 satellites
• Thirteen successes (Chandrayaan-1 being the thirteenth, lucky number, eh!), and only one failure.
• Number of stages – FOUR
• First stage of the PSLV is characterized as being one of the largest solid-fuel rocket boosters in the world.
• Customers – DLR (Germany), South Korea, Belgium, Indonesia, Argentina, Italy, Israel, Japan, Canada, Netherlands, Denmark, Bulgaria, ESA, NASA (USA), and others.

Chandrayaan-1 will be pushed close to the Moon utilizing its Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM), and the final distance between the Moon’s surface and the spacecraft would be 100 km. Finally, the Moon Impact Probe will be ejected from the spacecraft, followed by the operationalizing of the other payloads.

So far, so good! Good job ISRO!! The scientists of ISRO have achieved something great, under challenging circumstances. The greatest challenge being – delivering the best:

1. even when most of the parliamentarians are under-educated, unruly and selfish.
2. while receiving just about OK salaries and amenities, when most parliamentarians are owners of acres of lands, ‘n’ number of BMWs/Rolls-Royce/Mercs, and tons of money
3. when religious fundamentalists and politicians join hands for personal gains, disturbing a secular environment
4. when regional fundamentalists attack candidates appearing for exams, and other regional water sharing issues
5. while the rich and the powerful (who are supposedly well-educated!!) go about molesting young girls

Phew! the list goes on, but ‘m tired of listing them all. Once again, I respect and salute our scientists, for their achievements and determination to take India to a higher level.

BBC News has a front page article titled “India launches first Moon mission“, and have raised the following concern (oh, these Brits are so concerned about India!)

The spacecraft Chandrayaan 1 has launched and is now headed for the Moon, where it will map the distribution of minerals. But in a country where millions lack basic services, is space exploration a good use of Indian resources?

True, I agree that millions lack basic services. But this piece of news (or concern) must have been attributed to those articles that highlight failed politicians. Not at this moment of glory. What if the money spent on Chandrayaan-1 has been redirected to the many pseudo-welfare schemes chalked out by the politicians? I believe that this is a money well-spent, and a job well done!! What do you think?

I think BBC just got hold of the manual that says ‘20 ways to increase visitors to your site‘, and one key tip in the manual is nothing but – ‘a provocative title, text or article’. Good job BBC! You’ve got a lot of visitors, finally!!

I would like to highlight certain comments, by NON-INDIANS, that were very sensible and authentic:

Any new country entering in exploration of the cosmos is a plus! it’s bring new edge to it and will help the mankind in general to get into new cosmic era sooner. – Nikolai, Moscow

So a country sends missions to the Moon, manned or not. So what? It’s supposed to be a first step, but nobody can afford to keep it up. It’s a dead end, so why bother unless it’s a worldwide effort? -  Peter Hyde, Toronto (ex UK), Canada

Most people who post negative comments should realise Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) gives back 50% more than what’s spent on them. So where’s the waste of money?
Indian space mission in relatively cheaper. And the ISRO is pioneers in remote sensing satellites now. So once the cost advantage can be extended to high technology market, it’s a huge business opportunity and a matter of national pride. -  Juju Zing, Tokyo, Japan

we are happy for what indian have achieve, well people are arguing about whether to spent many resources on such a project or it is better to use it to reduce the poverty? it is a question that only people from inside of India have the answer, but good balance is needed. – don’t know, beijing

This launch is not about the present. It is about the future and staking your national claim in space exploration. India is making a move now in light of the Popular Republic of China’s recent launch in space. This is a strategic move by India as it sees itself as a future leader of Asia cometing with China and a keen player in international affairs. This launch is about legitimacy and credibility on the world stage and is to be considered as a future investment. – Julien Bibeau, Prishtina, Kosovo

Mmmmmm, there are also homeless and needy in the USA and we do not critisise, China, Russia……. Why can’t India launch too??? Sounds good to me! As for Gordon Brown giving money away, OK that is normal as he does not know what he is doing! -  AJ Wilson Briggs, Amsterdam (ExUK), Netherlands

Well, the above are just a few that I came across. You may want to visit the link to this news article listed at the end of this post.

Finally, a question for you guys out there – How did you feel today when you opened the morning newspaper and saw the headlines gleaming “Chandrayaan-1 blasts off successfully”, “Successful first leg of the journey to the Moon – Chandrayan-1″, “Chandrayaan-1 successfully put into Transfer Orbit”, and so on? Felt elated, or…?

Sources: Chandrayaan-1 placed in transfer orbit,  Should India take part in space race?, PSLV

Status of Chandrayaan-1 moon mission (starting from the most recent):

INDIA LEAVES ITS FOOTPRINTS ON MOON, November 15, 2008 – finally, the moment of glory! Job well done!!

India to mark entry on Moon on Friday, November 13, 2008 – just one step close to the accomplishment!!

Moon probe ejection on November 14 or 15, November 11, 2008 – can’t stand this suspense, waiting to see the Moon Impact Probe on the Lunar surface!!

Chandrayaan orbital: height reduced, November 10, 2008 – Just waiting to see our tri-color flag planted firmly on the moon face..

India’s Moon mission a big success, November 09, 2008 – Congratulations again! I salute our ISRO scientists!!

Crucial Chandrayaan manoeuvre today, November 8, 2008

Chandrayaan-1 enters Lunar Transfer Trajectory, November 4, 2008

Chandrayaan-1’s Orbit Closer to Moon, October 29, 2008

Chandrayaan-1 enters Deep Space, October 26, 2008

Chandrayaan-1 Spacecraft’s Orbit Raised Further, October 25, 2008

Front page picture: ESA

Tags: chandrayaan, current status links, facts, india, ISRO, lunar, moon, moon mission, news analysis, present status, PSLV, tid bits, transfer orbit

Additional comments powered by BackType