INDIA TO LAUNCH MOON MISSION NEXT YEAR

India to launch Moon mission during 2007-08.

The Moon is becoming a hot commodity lately. Various nations such as China, Japan, the US, former N*Sync singer Lance Bass (who's now gay-couldn't see that coming!) , and the European Space Agency have made plans to head back to the Moon over the last few years. But, there's a ton of work to be done still. Mapping of the Moon and its elements are high priorities, as many companies and governments are investing in the idea of using the Moons resources or even creating a variety of bases, both manned and unmanned, on the surface. Because of the lack of atmosphere, the Moon is a fantastic setting for observation equipment that could scan the universe in more detailed ways. With all of the world's problems, like Lebanon, Israel, and Landis testing positive for drugs in the Tour de France, maybe it would be good to get away for awhile.

Here is a description of what India expects from the mission:

• "Chandrayaan-I is a lunar polar orbiter designed for chemical, mineralogic and topographic mapping of the lunar surface. It will provide complete coverage of the moon from an altitude of about 100 km during its observation period of two years planned in 2008-2010," said Bhandari, also President of International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG).