Weather may hold key to Chandrayan -I launch as per schedule

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 21 (ANI): The weather in Sriharikota will hold the key for Wednesday's proposed launch of Chandrayaan-1, India's spacecraft mission to moon.

The space port has reported lightning activity and inclement weather, and any further lightning tonight may lead to a postponement of the launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

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According to ISRO Chairman G. Madhavan Nair, rain has led to count down related activities being shifted from the outdoors to the control room.

"If lightening continues tonight, then the launch will be put on hold," Nair said.

For the first time, ISRO has constituted a high level team to monitor weather conditions and its input will be vital for the launch.

ISRO has a window period starting from tomorrow till October 28 for the launch.

The spacecraft would be carrying 11 payloads (scientific instruments) and weigh about 1,380 kg at the time of its launch, according to reports.

The Chandrayaan-1 satellite would orbit the Moon at an altitude of 100 km mapping the topography and the mineralogical content of lunar soil. It would also carry a Moon Impact Probe payload for demonstrating the technology needed for landing on the Moon's surface. India believes the Rs 386-crore lunar mission is a step towards its quest for exploration of outer space and inter-planetary missions. (ANI)