India has successfully launched its first unmanned moon mission, in an effort to catch up with rivals like China and Japan.

Claire Mackay from our South Asia bureau reports the Indian unmanned spacecraft, Chandrayaan 1, was launched this morning from a space centre north of Chennai.
Officials say the rocket will orbit the moon for two years collecting detailed information about its mineral, chemical and topographical characteristics.

India has spent about $US80 million on the lunar mission and is hoping it will bring its space program into the same league as space programs in Japan and China.
The Chandrayaan 1 is expected to reach the moon and begin orbiting in two days.