ISRO Chief K. Radhakrishnan Announces Plans To Launch US$82M Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter Mission 26-27 Nov 2013 While Chandrayaan-2 Moon Mission May Be Further Delayed To 2016; India Strong Commitment To Lunar Program Should Remain In Focus As 2008 Chandrayaan-1 Proved Important Scientific & International Success; Chandrayaan-2 Progress Is Underway With GSLV Testing Scheduled April 2013 & Russia Working On Technical Issues
Image Credit: ISRO, DHNS
India On Track To Launch GSLV Space Mission With Indigenously Built Cryogenic Engine In April 2013 Says Vikram Sarabhai Space Center Director PS Veeraraghavan (TL); Rocket Is Essential For Planned Chandrayaan-2 Lunar Mission, Which Will Include Lunar Orbiter & Rover Made By ISRO, & Russia-Built Lander; India-Russia Cooperation In Space Expected To Increase With Upcoming India Visit Of President Putin (BL)
Image Credit: ISRO, Reuters
India Aiming For 2015 Human Spaceflight Program; Human Moon Mission Proposed By Indian Space Research Organisation For 2020; Chandrayaan-2 Lunar Orbiter, Lander, Rover Mission Delayed To At Least 2014; Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Rocket Proven Success Of Chandrayaan-1 / Moon Impact Probe Will Be Used For India Mars Satellite Mission Planned Launch Nov 2013
Image Credit: ISRO, IITK
Moon South Pole, With Water Ice In Permanently Shadowed Craters / Peaks Of Eternal Light, Is Likely Destination For Future Human Exploration / Settlement As Indicated By Spacecraft Impactors That Have Targeted The Area: USA Lunar Prospector 31 Jul 1999, India Chandrayaan-1 Moon Impact Probe 14 Nov 2008, USA LCROSS 9 Oct 2009
Image Credit: NASA, ISRO
ISRO Vision 2030 Plan Should Include Human Missions To Moon & Mars Says President Kalam At Indian Institute Of Space Science & Technology (IIST) Convocation Ceremony In Thiruvananthapuram; ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan Seeking To Turn Over Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle & Communications Satellite Fabrication Program To India Industry Freeing Federal Agency To Focus On Exploration & Cutting-Edge Research
Image Credit: The Hindu, ISRO
Continued Success / Progress Of India Moon Program Critical For Humanity’s Vital Expansion Into Solar System / Galaxy; Program Might Benefit From Reconsideration; GSLV Failures Have Put Ambitious Chandrayaan-2 Mission On Hold; Reconfigured Missions With A 2nd Orbiter And / Or Small Scale Lander / Rover Launched By Reliable PSLV Rocket Would Put Country Back On Track As ISRO Qualifies GSLV & Prepares For More Advanced Missions
Image Credit: ISRO, NASA
Image Credit: NASA
American Astronaut Marsha Ivins Speaks To Students About Benefits / Importance Of Space Travel At Nehru Planetarium In Mumbai India; “Traveling Again To The Moon Is The Right Thing To Do”; Says Image Of Milky Way Galaxy Provides Her With Inspiration / Commitment To Support Space Exploration; Ivins Spent 55 Days In Space During 36-Year NASA Career That Included 5 Spaceflights
Image Credit: southtek.com, K. Pichumani, ISRO
ISRO Chairman Radhakrishnan Says Chandrayaan-2 Launch Will Follow 2 Successful Launches Of GSLV Rocket With Indigenous Cryogenic Engine; GSLV Systems To Undergo Series Of Tests & Modifications To Rectify Problems From 2 Failed Launches; Next Launches Scheduled For Fall 2012, Early 2013, Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter / Lander / Rover Launch NET 2014
Image Credit: NASA, PRL
India PRL Researchers Find Evidence Of Relatively Recent Volcanic Activity On Moon Using LRO, Chandrayaan-1 Data; Images Of Tycho Crater Central Peak Show Vents, Lava Channels, Solidified Flows Of Inner Crustal Material, & Large Boulders (120-Meter) Atop Highest Summit; Features Were Made After Creation Of Crater 110M Years Ago; Team Awaits Further Research From Chandrayaan-2, NET 2014
Image Credit: PRL, NASA, docstoc.com
India Physical Research Laboratory Scientists In Ahmedabad Propose Wireless Sensor Network For In Situ Probing Of Water Ice On Lunar Surface; Large Number Of Tiny Battery-Operated Devices Scattered On Surface With Self-Organizing Capability; Concept May Have Advantage Over Rovers For Exploration Of Permanently Shadowed Regions; Chandrayaan-2 Launch Could Be Delayed To 2016