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India to Launch Mission to Land on Moon

Anjana Pasricha

   NEW DELHI - In the early hours of Monday, India is set to launch a
   mission to an uncharted area of the moon, marking a significant
   milestone in its steadily expanding ambitions in space.

   If successful, India would become the fourth country to land a probe on
   the moon after the United States, Russia and China and secure its place
   as a leading space-faring nation.

   India's most powerful rocket launcher is scheduled to carry the
   Chandrayaan-2, which means "moon vehicle" in Sanskrit, from Sriharikota
   in eastern India. It will have a lunar orbiter, lander and rover.

   The real test of the mission will come about 50 days later, around
   Sept. 6, when the lander will attempt a controlled landing on the lunar
   surface at the South Pole of the moon, which no country has attempted
   so far.

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