Indian base on moon logical extension of Chandrayaan-1

Bangalore, Oct 25 (UNI) Setting up a base on the lunar surface will be a logical extension of India's maiden moon mission, Chandrayaan-1 and it can happen, Mr M Anna Dorai, Project Director of the country's first Lunar Mission said today.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here at which Karnataka government today honoured the top ISRO scientists for the successful launch of Chandrayaan-1 at the Indian Deep Space Network (DSN), about 35 km from the city, he said ISRO had enabled the technology to reach the moon.

''The other activities will follow. After filling our stomach (reaching the moon) we are now looking to do something better. After Chandrayaan-2 which will have a lander and a rover, planetary missions would take place,'' he said.

ISRO Chairman Madhavan Nair said ''Well, it is a dream. Someday it can come true.'' Mr Dorai said India was part of International Lunar Network which was already in operation. ''I am a member of this network. The countries move together to share technology and the finance in carrying out new lunar missions. We are planning big things. There would be a common space station in the space in a few years from now,'' he added.

He said said Chandrayaan-1 formed part of the second vision of ISRO after it achieved its first by mastering communication satellite technology. ''From Chandrayaan-1 mission we will be able to see what is there in the outer space. Then our intention is to exploit the outer space whatever is within our reach. We are ready to take up more critical missions,'' he added.

He said inter-planetary exploration was another dimension but the country had the ability to achieve it.

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