ISRO dream: Fly to moon and dig ice

INDIA HAS a date with the moon in 2008. Preparations are on for the unmanned lunar mission to be carried out by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Chandrayaan (moon craft) will be launched by a modified version of polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) that would revolve around the moon at a distance of 100 km and probe into the possible existence of water and other resources on the moon.

INDIA HAS a date with the moon in 2008. Preparations are on for the unmanned lunar mission to be carried out by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Chandrayaan (moon craft) will be launched by a modified version of polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) that would revolve around the moon at a distance of 100 km and probe into the possible existence of water and other resources on the moon.

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Discussing the aforesaid programme of ISRO, chairman PRI council, ISRO-DOS, Prof UR Rao said: “The mission aims to search for surface or sub-surface water-ice on the moon, specially at the lunar pole and to carry out high resolution mapping of topographic features in 3D. It would also look into the mineral composition of the moon.” Rao, who is also Chancellor of Ambedkar University, was in the city on Tuesday.

Though Mission Moon would commence from 2006 and would culminate on 2008, space agencies of US (NASA), European Space Agency, Japanese and Chinese space agencies are working together to unravel some lesser known facts about the moon. There is good co-ordination among all space agencies and everybody is optimistic that something positive would come out of it.

Addressing mediapersons, Rao said: “Scope of space research is vast and a lot could be done in this direction.” It is only through space research programme that the dream of telemedicine and existence of 37 super-specialty hospitals has come into being. Persons living in remote areas need not visit expensive hospitals as treatment would be possible right at home,” he added.

According to Rao, there is a lot of scope in space research organisations and it is imperative that universities take the plunge. During his visit to the Dr BR Ambedkar University in the State capital, he took a round of all departments and appreciated the peaceful academic atmosphere on the campus. He interacted with faculty and students.

Before signing off, Prof Rao talked about other schemes of ISRO but did not divulge much. Students had an informal interaction with Rao. “To have a scientist of his stature among us is a golden opportunity. Though he interacted with us for only a short while, it was still a privilege to see him and listen to him,” the students said.