All set for moon mission next month

2. Will carry out high resolution mapping of topographic features in 3D, distribution of minerals and elemental chemical species

3. Will map entire surface of moon during two-year honeymoon in space, sweeping over surface 24 times a year

4. Ten days after reaching final orbit, a Moon Impact Probe, carrying the Indian Tricolour, will free fall onto lunar surface

CHANDRAYAAN-2: EXPLORER ON MOON

1. Government approves Chandrayaan-2 which entails landing a rover on moon

2. It will be an Indo-Russian mission with a projected launch in 2011-12

3. Rover to carry out chemical analysis of lunar surface, explore other resources

4. Will look for Helium 3 gas which experts believe may offer a solution to energy shortages. Current Chinese moon mission also exploring this

OCTOBER LAUNCH WINDOW

1. ISRO keeps October 19-28 window for Chandrayaan-1 launch

2. October 28 considered ideal, weather permitting

3. Window subject to craft clearing vibration, acoustic tolerance tests next week

4. At Sriharikota, craft will be integrated with PSLV-XL launch vehicle

NOVEMBER DATE WITH MOON

1. Will take roughly 8 days to cover 386,000 km to get to final orbit, 100 km from moon

2. On November 8, plans to move in on the moon at point of intersection of orbits

3. Missing late October launch will mean waiting till November or December when trajectories intersect again

4. PSLV-XL will take craft 24,000 km into space, fuel power on board will take over thereafter