Chandrayaan-1, (Sanskrit: चंद्रयान-१, lit: Moon-vehicle[2][3] pronunciation (help·info)) is India's first mission to the Moon launched by India's national space agency the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The unmanned lunar exploration mission includes a lunar orbiter and an impactor. India launched the spacecraft by a modified version of the PSLV C11[1][4] on 22 October 2008 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh about 80 km north of Chennai at 06:22 IST (00:52 UTC).[5]The mission is a major boost to India's space program, as India competes with Asian nations China and Japan in exploring the Moon.[6] The vehicle was successfully inserted into lunar orbit on 8 November 2008.[7]
On November 14, 2008, the Moon Impact Probe separated from the Moon-orbiting Chandrayaan at 20:06 and impacted the lunar south pole in a controlled manner, making India the fourth country to place its flag on the Moon.[8] The MIP impacted near the crater Shackleton, at the lunar south pole, at 20:31 on 14 November 2008 releasing subsurface debris that could be analysed for presence of water ice.[9]
The estimated cost for the project is Rs. 386 crore (US$ 80 million).[10]Chandrayaan-1, (Sanskrit: चंद्रयान-१, lit: Moon-vehicle[2][3] pronunciation (help·info)) is India's first mission to the Moon launched by India's national space agency the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The unmanned lunar exploration mission includes a lunar orbiter and an impactor. India launched the spacecraft by a modified version of the PSLV C11[1][4] on 22 October 2008 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh about 80 km north of Chennai at 06:22 IST (00:52 UTC).[5]The mission is a major boost to India's space program, as India competes with Asian nations China and Japan in exploring the Moon.[6] The vehicle was successfully inserted into lunar orbit on 8 November 2008.[7]
On November 14, 2008, the Moon Impact...