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| India Moon probe 'malfunctions' | India Moon probe 'malfunctions' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| India's first mission to the Moon has experienced a technical problem, India's space research officials say. | India's first mission to the Moon has experienced a technical problem, India's space research officials say. |
| A sensor of the unmanned Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft has "malfunctioned" and steps have been taken to ensure it is able to continue its work, they say. | A sensor of the unmanned Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft has "malfunctioned" and steps have been taken to ensure it is able to continue its work, they say. |
| It was reported the the spacecraft was no longer orbiting with high precision. | It was reported the the spacecraft was no longer orbiting with high precision. |
| The mission, which launched last October, is regarded as a major step for India as it seeks to keep pace with other space-faring nations in Asia. | The mission, which launched last October, is regarded as a major step for India as it seeks to keep pace with other space-faring nations in Asia. |
| Scientists belonging to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that the "vital star sensor" of the spacecraft had "malfunctioned". | Scientists belonging to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that the "vital star sensor" of the spacecraft had "malfunctioned". |
| "The mission is safe, but its lifespan may be affected," ISRO spokesman S Satish told the BBC. | "The mission is safe, but its lifespan may be affected," ISRO spokesman S Satish told the BBC. |
| The unmanned Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft was launched into space from a launch pad in southern Andhra Pradesh last October. | The unmanned Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft was launched into space from a launch pad in southern Andhra Pradesh last October. |
| CHANDRAYAAN 1 1 - Chandrayaan Energetic Neutral Analyzer (CENA)2 - Moon Impact Probe (MIP)3 - Radiation Dose Monitor (RADOM)4 - Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC)5 - Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3)6 - Chandrayaan 1 X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS)7 - Solar Panel India sets its sights on the Moon In Pictures: India Moon mission | CHANDRAYAAN 1 1 - Chandrayaan Energetic Neutral Analyzer (CENA)2 - Moon Impact Probe (MIP)3 - Radiation Dose Monitor (RADOM)4 - Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC)5 - Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3)6 - Chandrayaan 1 X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS)7 - Solar Panel India sets its sights on the Moon In Pictures: India Moon mission |
| The spacecraft is on a two-year mission of exploration. | The spacecraft is on a two-year mission of exploration. |
| The robotic probe will orbit the Moon, compiling a 3-D atlas of the lunar surface and mapping the distribution of elements and minerals. | The robotic probe will orbit the Moon, compiling a 3-D atlas of the lunar surface and mapping the distribution of elements and minerals. |
| "We have already got useful information from the pictures beamed," said an ISRO official. | "We have already got useful information from the pictures beamed," said an ISRO official. |
| But he said the "quality of the pictures" had been affected because of the malfunction. | But he said the "quality of the pictures" had been affected because of the malfunction. |
| Powered by a single solar panel generating about 700 watts, the ISRO probe carries five Indian-built instruments and six constructed in other countries, including the US, Britain and Germany. | Powered by a single solar panel generating about 700 watts, the ISRO probe carries five Indian-built instruments and six constructed in other countries, including the US, Britain and Germany. |
| The mission is expected to cost 3.8bn rupees (£45m; $78m), considerably less than Japanese and Chinese probes sent to the Moon last year. | The mission is expected to cost 3.8bn rupees (£45m; $78m), considerably less than Japanese and Chinese probes sent to the Moon last year. |
| But the Indian government's space efforts have not been welcomed by all. | But the Indian government's space efforts have not been welcomed by all. |
| Some critics regard the space programme as a waste of resources in a country where millions still lack basic services. | Some critics regard the space programme as a waste of resources in a country where millions still lack basic services. |