BANGALORE, Jun 26 (Agencies): The date for the launch of the Chandrayaan mission, a 'unique' one in which scientists will get a total mapping of the moon, would be announced next month, Dr D G Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, said today.
"There are a lot of expectations from the mission.
It is going to be a unique mission in which you will get the total mapping of the moon, which does not exist today," he told reporters on the sidelines of the International Conference on Aerospace Science and Technology, organised by the National Aerospace Laboratories to commemorate its golden jubilee year.
"We are trying to look for rare elements on the surface of the moon.
The information will help us in further exploration," Nair said.
On the exact date of launch, he said, "The launch date will be announced next month, "September is the earliest." On any proposed joint venture with a foreign partner to tap helium on the moon, he said, "Right now it is only a preliminary concept stage.
Once we know that helium is present, we can go to the next stage." He said the second Mission in 2012 would have a Rover and and Lander.
"It will go down to the moon's surface and pick samples, analyse and send back data." Former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who also spoke, said the moon mission would be a platform to go to Mars.
"In future we need to see earth-moon-mars as a single complex for humanity." The moon mission has tremendous potential in the context of there being a persence of helium, which can be tapped for power generation.
