Indian Lunar Mission

For about $80 million, India has launched it's first lunar mission on 22nd Oct. In less than a month the craft has entered lunar orbit, and launched a moon impact probe, basically just something to crash into the moon. A few thoughts:

• The main craft will orbit the moon for about a couple of years at a height of 100km and map the lunar surface, not sure if the Apollo mission did this, but the imaging will use modern equipment. Of special interest will be the poles which might have ice.
  
• The craft is carrying several European and American instruments for free, so this definitely fosters cooperation for future missions.
• The impactor is just a fancy name for a dead weight carrying the Indian flag. This "experiment" was designed with the thinking that one day India can claim at least some part of the lunar territory. Kalam (the previous President) was thinking ahead, a lot ahead!
• The mission also displayed precision control, guidance and communication. Think missiles? Probably this technology is more advanced?
  

(Nothing extra below fold)