India to launch moon mission in 5yrs
2001-05-30 10:29
New Delhi - The Indian Science Research Organisation (ISRO) said that India would be able to launch a mission to the moon within the next five years, news reports said on Wednesday.
According to The Asian Age, a 12-member committee has been set up and their internal report is likely to be ready in four months. Dr George Joseph, who heads the committee, said on Tuesday that they would be ready to discuss the plan with the government thereafter.
If the Indian government gives the go ahead, ISRO scientists say that they can put a satellite in polar orbit, 100 kilometres from the surface of the moon. The satellite would be used to study the composition of the moon and also for mapping the moon.
However, there is no plan to put a man on the moon yet.
While the cost of the project has still not been worked out, Joseph feels that such missions have values beyond quantifiable terms and will help enhance India's image internationally.
The proposal for the mission to the moon comes close on the heels of the successful launch of the satellite launch vehicle GSLV-D1 in April this year.
Despite the low literacy rates and poverty, India is very advanced in the field of computers and space technology. ISRO has a comprehensive plan to launch experimental communication satellites and carry out various other test flights in the near future. - DPA
- SAPA