In the first, Chandrayaan-1 will map the Moon’s topography with a 3D terrain mapping stereo camera capable of imaging the lunar surface in black and white. Useful, because ‘‘future developments on the moon will need an accurate base map,’’ says George Joseph, chairman, Chandrayaan-1 science advisory board. India’s other lunar objectives:
• Study origin, evolution, mass concentration of Moon
• Chemical, mineral composition of Moon
• Search for Helium-3 as potential energy resource
• Probe trapped, frozen water
• 10-15 kg payload of foreign experiments