| India is gearing up for its first unmanned mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-1, reports the Times of India. India is joining forces with seven other nations for the exploration of earth’s only natural satellite.
The deal was signed at a conference of International Lunar Users' Group at Nasa's Ames Research Centre in July. Devi Prasad Karnik, space counsellor attached to the Indian embassy in Washington, represented India.
Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, France and Britain are the other countries involved in the mission to the moon. According to the agreement NASA will allow India and other countries to collaborate with NASA to develop new technologies and send robotic exploratory missions for a manned return mission to the moon.
The agreement is significant for NASA as these countries including India are keen on sending their astronauts to the lunar surface.
According to experts, increased interest in lunar science and India, Japan and China emerging as important space-faring nations would also help NASA. X |