India places billions of rupees for first manned space mission

William Atkins
Wednesday, 25 February 2009 19:43

Science - Space

Japan is already involved in space missions to the International Space Station with its space agency Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

In addition, on September 14, 2007, JAXA launched its lunar orbiter Kaguya (SELENE: for “Selenological and Engineering Explorer”) to the Moon. It reached orbit about the Moon on October 4, 2007.

Its mission is to learn more about the creation and evolution of the Moon. Learn more about SELENE in the July 19, 2008 iTWire article “Japanese SELENE confirms Apollo 15 landing spot on Moon.”

Japan's first lunar probe was launched in 1990, with the name Hagoromo.

According to the India Space Research Organization website, “The prime objective of ISRO is to develop space technology and its application to various national tasks. ISRO has established two major space systems, INSAT for communication, television broadcasting and meteorological services, and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) system for resources monitoring and management. ISRO has developed two satellite launch vehicles, PSLV and GSLV, to place INSAT and IRS satellites in the required orbits.”

As with the Soviet Union and United States race to the Moon in the twentieth century, the race to the Moon in the twenty-first century is also hotly contested.

This time, however, we have many more players to choose from to see who first lands a human on the lunar surface.

And, more importantly, what do they do once they establish themselves on the Moon.

For additional information on the International Moon Race in the 21st Century, read the:

Guardian.co.uk article "India's unmanned moon mission may launch race for lunar landgrab",

International Herald Tribune article "Why China wants to win", and

the South Asia Investor Review article "India in Moon Race with Big Asian Dogs".