Scientists save India's moon mission from failure

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

NEW DELHI — India's only satellite orbiting the moon came close to failure after overheating but scientists improvised to save it and have achieved more than 90 percent of the mission's objectives, an official said Friday.

The launch of Chandrayaan-1 in October 2008 put India in an elite group to have lunar missions along with the U.S., Russia, the European Space Agency, Japan and China.

But on May 16, the satellite lost a critical instrument called the star sensor, the Indian Space Research Organization's chief Madhavan Nair told reporters.

The sensor helps the satellite stay oriented so its cameras and other recording equipment are constantly aimed at the lunar surface.

However, ISRO scientists were able to salvage the $80 million satellite within a week and resume normal operations by activating the satellite's gyroscope, which also gives satisfactory orientation, Nair said.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hUWDsi7bknf4A3JC7OaJgmRfCfkwD99G58PG0

[sfwriter]

1. Big Smile here...

I love smart people.

[Ohio Joe]

2. Excellent

I applaud any countries (peaceful) space program. I wish them all the best!

[BOG PERSON]

3. What a pointless endeavor

They could be devoting more resources to lifting up their people instead of spending tens of millions of dollars taking black and white photos of the fucking moon.

[MicaelS]

4. Yeah, it's pathetic

All the scientific research has never led to a better quality of life for anyone. :sarcasm: