India plans moon landing

This story is from our news.com.au network ^ | April 04, 2003 | Editorial Staff

[vannrox]

India plans moon landing

04apr03

SCIENTISTS have met to debate India's plans to send an astronaut to the moon, with the chairman of the country's space agency saying the project would "electrify the nation".

The Indian Space Research Organisation, or ISRO, is holding the meeting amid criticism from some scientists that the mission would strain scarce resources without yielding much scientific benefit.

In a project that needs to be approved by the Indian government, the ISRO hopes to send a small unmanned satellite to circle the moon by 2005 and an astronaut by 2015.

The unmanned satellite project would cost $US82.5 million ($137.5 million).

ISRO chairman Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan said the moon mission would "electrify the nation and show to the world that India is capable of taking up complex projects at the cutting edge of space research".

"It is not whether we can afford it," he said. "It is whether we can afford to ignore it."

Scientists from the ISRO and others who are not members were meeting today to review a task force's study report on the project, ISRO spokesman S Krishnamurthy said.

Krishnamurthy said the peer review would also give the ISRO an idea of when a more detailed project report would be ready. The organisation will then approach the Indian government for approval and funding, he said.

Only the United States, Russia and Japan have carried out moon missions. China plans to start unmanned space exploration in 2005.

[vannrox]

America gave up Space Exploration during the Nixion Administration. In the future, colonists to the Moon will be speaking Chinese and Hindu.

[newcats]

America gave up Space Exploration during the Nixion Administration.

Wrong...America didn't give up space exploration, it was decimated by Nixon's NASA budget cuts.

[friendly]

Administrator Taroff MaSari, head of the Indian Space Program also announced at the same that India will also send a manned expedition to the sun.

"How is that possible?," asked an incredulous reporter.

"Simple," was the response, "Our experts have decided we will fly at night."

[SC DOC]

Just what we need- a Lunar 7-Eleven.

[Extremist]

Just what we need- a Lunar 7-Eleven.

And just think of all the hotels. The moon and sun will be tourist heaven.

[thinking]

Hahahhahahah...India is going to Moon....millions of underfed people, but they want to go to the moon...?????

[DTA]

but they want to go to the moon...?????

Yeah, and they selected the first astronaut, his name is Moonbinder Dunthat.

[The Toad]

They'll just fake it like the US did (just trying to be funny).

[The Great RJ]

I seem to remember that India back in the 1960's space race was critical of the US for "wasting" all that money going to the moon when it could benefit the poor.

Somehow looking at India's economic condition I don't think the level of expenditure needed for a moon landing (let alone developing a nuclear weapons program) could be justified on humanitarian grounds.

[stainlessbanner]

Abu on the Moon!

[ErnBatavia]

And just think of all the hotels.

Slight correction....Motels. Super 8

[Willie Green]

In the future, colonists to the Moon will be speaking Chinese and Hindu.

Nothing up there but a bunch of sterile rocks.
But IMHO, if the Chinese and Indians can figure out a way to live up there, it's fine with me. As long as they're spending their own rupees and yuan, and not mine, they can go to the moon if they want.

[Extremist]

Right you are. I can smell the curry now.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

They might find it tough to light the insense...

[Noumenon]

I'm thinking more about curry farts in an enclosed space.

[ladtx]

SCIENTISTS have met to debate India's plans to send an astronaut to the moon,...

To the moon? How about adding "...and back." If I were a potential Indian astronaut I would be a little concerned about that statement.

[TRY ONE]

To the sun? That's silly, says Texas Congresswoman,
Sheila Jackson Lee, they're just going to Mars!

[Extremist]

Sheila Jackson Lee thinks Mars is a candy bar.

[zygoat]

I guess they heard about the cow that jumped over the moon. I've heard that they worship cows. Perhaps they feel they must go erect a monument to this ballistic bovine.