The Indian flag colors fly high on the moon. The Moon Impact Probe (MIP) of TV size, painted in the bright colors of the Indian flag landed on the surface of the moon at 8.31pm on Friday.

The MIP was ejected from the Chandrayaan-1 India’s first moon mission and marks the legal presence of India on the moon. It took 25 minutes for the MIP to separate from the Chandrayaan-1 and station itself on the moon. The Chandrayaan-1 is circulating the moon, 100 km above its surface.

The US, former USSR and European Space Agency of 17 nations have been able to land unmanned probes on the surface on the moon. Although Japan and China began their moon mission programs much ahead of India, but they have not been able to land a probe on the surface of the moon.

This is a remarkable achievement for India and indeed an emotional moment, as the Indian tricolor flies high on the moon. Former President of India, Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam was the person who suggested firing the probe on to the surface of the moon.

The present moon mission is meant to identify “safe spots’ on the moon for the next landing with the help of Chandrayaan-2, which is planned for a take-off in 2011.

Source: Deccan Chronicle nov.15th 2008