ISRO to add another glorious chapter to its success

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 12(UNI) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would add another glorious chapter to its success saga, when the PLSV C-11 takes off to the skies from Sriharikotta, carrying Chandrayan-I Satelite at 0620 hrs on October 22.

In a release here today, M C Dathan, Director, Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikotta told newspersons that the countdown for the historic launch would begin at 0400 hrs on October 20.

Chandrayan-I weighing 1380 kg, would reach the lunar orbit on Novermber eight, he said, adding Chandrayan-11 mission of 2010 had been approved in principle by the ministry of space.

Chandryan-I, costing approximately Rs 386 crore, would continue for a period of two years. The mission, apart from other investigations, was aimed at checking the presence of polar ice, wet soil and precious minerals on the lunar surface.

The Satelite carrying eleven payloads, including six from abroad was expected to throw more light on hitherto unknown areas of the lunar surface.

One of the important indigenous playloads of Chandryan, Moon impact Probe (MIP), would be depositing a plaque with the tri-colour on the Moon. The MIP payload would also capture visuals of the moon's surface through its video cameras, the release added.

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