
Post a picture-perfect launch, the Chandrayaan probe, piggybacking scientific instruments from various other countries is now on course for its first brush with the moon. There are three more maneuvers to be completed before the probe attains its intended orbital path around the moon. The last of these steps is scheduled for November 8th.
That is when the rockets aboard the Chandrayaan will fire and push it forth towards an elliptical orbit around the moon. By November 14-15th, it will be just 100 kms above the surface of the moon -- its final intended orbit. Before the scientific projects commence and the Chandrayaan starts sending valuable data from the lunar surface, it will drop its symbolic payload -- the first Indian object, our national flag on to the lunar surface!