Image above: Indian Space Research Organization Chairman G. Madhavan Nair and NASA Administrator Mike Griffin N3RA exhange documents after signing the agreement. Photo Credit: Indian Space Research Organization

NASA to work with India on Moon mission

NASA Administrator Mike Griffin, N3RA and Indian Space Research Organization Chairman G. Madhavan Nair signed an agreement yesterday to put two NASA scientific instruments on India's maiden voyage to the moon.

The Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter is expected to launch in late 2007 or early 2008.

Griffin is touring Indian Space Research Organization facilities this week. He will visit its satellite development center, its launch vehicle production center, and its launch site.

"It is my hope and belief that as we extend the reach of human civilization throughout the solar system, the United States and India will be partners on many more technically challenging and scientifically rewarding projects," Griffin said at a ceremony in Bangalore.

"I very much look forward to the opportunity to see first hand India's impressive space facilities, to meet with your scientists and engineers and to learn more about your remarkable work."

Image above: Artist's concept of the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft. Photo Credit: Indian Space Research Organization.

Chandrayaan-1 is a truly international mission, with payloads from Europe as well as the United States.

NASA's contribution includes the Moon Mineralogy Mapper, designed to look for lunar mineral resources, and an instrument known as Mini-SAR, which will look for ice deposits in the moon's polar regions.

Data from the two instruments will contribute to NASA's increased understanding of the lunar environment as it implements the Vision for Space Exploration, which calls for robotic and human exploration of the moon's surface.

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