Article Posted on : - Jan 29, 2009

3D images of different regions of lunar surface captured by TMC. The height of features shown in these images can be grasped when viewed through anaglyph filters. ISRO photo

BANGALORE (PTI): Preliminary findings from data generated by on board payloads (scientific instruments) of Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft were discussed today for the first time since its launch more than three months ago by scientists associated with the project.
The day-long meeting at the ISRO Satellite Centre here came a day before the 100th day of the historic moon mission launch by India on October 22.

"The discussions were largely technical in nature", an official of Bangalore-headquartered Indian Space Research Organisation said. ISRO is expected to issue a statement detailing deliberations of the closed-door meeting this week.

ISRO had invited scientists behind Indian payloads (scientific instruments) as well those from countries whose instruments, including from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), are onboard the spacecraft for today's conclave.

Chandrayaan-1 has 11 instruments on board -- five from India, three from ESA (one of which is developed jointly with India and other with Indian contribution), one from Bulgaria and two from the US.

Preliminary findings from the data generated by three instruments on board Chandrayaan-1 -- the Moon Mineralogy Mapper, Mini-SAR and the Imaging X-ray Spectrometer, which have already been announced, are encouraging.