Isro’s 1st unmanned mission to moon soon

By Parwez Hafeez

Kolkata, May 22: The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) would launch its first unmanned moon mission between October and December, chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) on Thursday said in Kolkata.

"Currently, work is on for Chandrayaan-1, India’s first unmanned mission to moon slated for launch during the third quarter of 2008. Chandrayaan, with six instruments from abroad and five from India, will prepare a three dimensional atlas of the entire lunar surface which is expected to unravel the chemicals and minerals available on the moon," he added.

He was talking to media after receiving the Raja Rammohan Puraskar for the year 2008 for his outstanding contribution to the development of space technology in India and its applications.

Mr Nair pointed out that the lunar craft would not land but would travel in a polar orbit around the moon and pay special attention to gathering data on the polar icecaps that may contain traces of water. He revealed that besides Chandrayaan-1, the Isro would launch 70 space missions during the 11th Five-Year Plan.

Isro’s Regional Remote Sensing Centre (RRSC) located in Kharagpur in West Medinipur would soon be shifted to Kolkata.

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Couple arrested for liquor deaths

By Our Correspondents

Bangalore, May 22: The alleged kingpin behind the illicit liquor tragedy, Soundar Rajan, along with his wife Satya and daughter-in-law Rekha, was arrested by the special city police team on Thursday morning from Namakkal, Salem Road in Tamil Nadu. In a joint operation, the city police and the City Crime Branch arrested the "killer" trio in Salem at around 4.30 am.

Speaking to reporters in Bangalore on Thursday, joint commissioner (Crime) Gopal B. Hosur said: "Soundar, 40, would bring sachets of illicit liquor to Satya, 38, who would sell them near their house." Rekha, 20, was also reportedly involved in the illegal trade.

"Soundar’s son, Raju, disapproved of their trade and is working as a mason," said deputy commissioner (east) B.K. Singh.

Soundar used to source his supply from Mushthu alias Mushtaq, resident of Katiganahalli.