Mission to the Moon

AZUZ: One day after that historic trade, India's focus turned to the skies, when the nation launched its first lunar mission. But as the country jumps into the space race, some people there are questioning the project's price tag. Sara Sidner takes us into orbit.


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LAUNCH COUNTDOWN: ...3...2...1...0.
SARA SIDNER, CNN REPORTER: India is soaring to new heights. This is the country's first unmanned mission to the moon. At 6:21 in the morning, the Indian-made spacecraft, Chandrayaan-1, shot into space with no problems. Members of India's space program congratulated each other as they watched the send-off.
MADHAVAN NAIR, INDIAN SPACE ORGANIZATION CHAIRMAN: Today, what we have started is a remarkable journey for India spacecraft to go to the moon and try to unravel the mysteries of the moon.
SIDNER: This mission puts the developing nation firmly in the exclusive club of space exploring countries. To some here, it's another sign India is on an unstoppable upward projectory.
PERSON ON THE STREET: We should be proud of it.
SIDNER: But if you think all eyes were glued to TV sets watching this historic launch, you'd be mistaken. In fact, some school children and teachers we spoke with after take-off didn't even realize the mission had already taken place. We met these children and their educators on a visit to the planetarium.
VIKAS JUNEJA, PHYSICS TEACHER: India is trying our best, and still there is a launch. I remember that Chandrayaan, which is going to launch very soon.
HARSHIL, STUDENT: Yes. India is going to perform a launch to moon on 22nd September.
SIDNER: India is spending about $79 million on this mission, far less than what China paid for its moon shot last year. We told vendor Sandeep Kumar about the launch and the cost. He wasn't impressed.
SANDEEP KUMAR, MARKET VENDOR (TRANSLATED): It would be better to spend money on providing electricity and water supply. The government should think about it, but it's spending money on useless activities. There can be nothing better than improving conditions in cities.
SIDNER: In a country of 1.1 billion people, where more than a third is desperately poor and barely able to feed themselves, some wonder if $79 million would be better spent helping these people out. Especially since this is a feat other counties have conquered decades ago. Still, some Indians argue this program could yield important scientific data, as well as bolster the country's reputation. If it's a complete success, the Indian space establishment plans to step it up. By 2020, India is planning to send a manned mission to the moon. Sara Sidner, CNN, New Delhi.
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Before We Go
AZUZ: Before we go, which of these things is not like the others? Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin, gorilla. They may not fit in with the festive fruit, but these hairy beasts are getting into the Halloween spirit. Of course for them, that means devouring pumpkins stuffed with tasty treats. But the trick is getting the food out. Watch the guy at the top there. Once he's done dumping out the goodies, he sends the pumpkin plummeting.

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