[Yogesh Sarkar]

Just read in detail about India's first mission to Moon and even though we are quite behind countries like America, Russia etc. it sounds interesting and I kind of felt proud:

The Chandrayaan-1 mission is aimed at high-resolution remote sensing of the moon in visible, near infrared(NIR), low energy X-rays and high-energy X-ray regions. Specifically the objectives will be

To prepare a three-dimensional atlas (with a high spatial and altitude resolution of 5-10m) of both near and far side of the moon.

To conduct chemical and mineralogical mapping of the entire lunar surface for distribution of elements such as Magnesium, Aluminum, Silicon, Calcium, Iron and Titanium with a spatial resolution of about 25 km and high atomic number elements such as Radon, Uranium & Thorium with a spatial resolution of about 20 km.

Simultaneous photo geological and chemical mapping will enable identification of different geological units, which will test the early evolutionary history of the moon and help in determining the nature and stratigraphy of the lunar crust.

More here at the official ISRO website

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Well the rocket has taken off, only two days to go before the Chandrayaan reaches the Moon.

[R3x]

Well the rocket has taken off, only two days to go before the Chandrayaan reaches the Moon.

AFAIR it was 5.5 days... but reports here suggest 15 days

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Well heard that from the news reporter so wouldn't bet my life on it

[kamikaze]

Congratulations fellow countrymen! This is a proud moment for us. This shows our capabilities in science and technology just not as country of snake charmers.

I know there are skeptics all round who might see this as a waste of money when the poor starve, however we all know that most developed coutnries progressed only when they focused on pure technology and sciences which could later be used for building products and improving lives.

Does anyone have the link to the launch video? I was attending a session by Robert Swan and missed the launch.

[woodboats]

Congrats to you and your country on a successful launch!!
That's a huge achievment, not many countries have done such a thing.

[anupmathur]

Congrats to you and your country on a successful launch!!

Thanks, Woodboats; it does feel good.
We need to hold our breath till the 8th of November to see if the mission is successful too!

[BHARAT]

So now our jealous neighbor may ask another cheap neighbor to take them to moon! as usual!

[R3x]

Does anyone have the link to the launch video?

Here's a one minute video on BBC
BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | India launches first Moon mission

[R3x]

I know there are skeptics all round who might see this as a waste of money when the poor starve

I was going through an old post on slashdot yesterday. Similar sentiment prevailed there. But aptly answered on one of the later comments.

But that was a post in 2003. Dare anyone in US to say this at this time when they are "heading into recession"!! LOL (well.. i like to believe they ARE into recession)