OPINION: Over the moon.

from BUSINESS LINE, October 27, 2008 With the successful launch of Chandrayaan-1, India has joined a select band of nations - the US, Russia, Japan, China and those represented by the European Space Agency - that are engaged in lunar exploration. While Chandrayaan-1 establishes India as a scientific, economic and strategic power, it would be wrong to view the mission as a mere exhibition of national might. There is much to be gained from learning about the minerals on the Moon's surface. The 11 scientific payloads will orbit the Moon for two years, mapping it in detail for the presence of magnesium, aluminium, thorium, silicon, iron, titanium and helium-3. Helium-3 is a key …