Today, the world is sandwiched between two extremes of innovation. The demon of terrorism excoriating the world using various innovative means to create ‘ground zeros’, on the one hand, and scientists working overtime to reach the ‘high ground’ in outer space – the Moon, on the other. India is expected to send an unmanned mission to the moon by 2008, to showcase the country's scientific capabilities. It will be called 'Chandrayan Pratham' (First Journey to the Moon). The mission is expected to cost New Delhi about $80 million (Rs 400 croers).

The history of lunar exploration began in 1959 with the erstwhile USSR and the USA sending missions to successfully fly past the Moon (Luna 1 and Pioneer 4 respectively). Finally, the Apollo mission saw Neil Armstrong step onto the Moon on 20th July 1969. This was a unique accomplishment for the Americans both politically and technologically. But the American Moon mission was affected by 1972 due to its huge price tag. To date, only the United States, Russia and Japan have sent missions to the moon. Even today, other countries are not as strong as the Americans were some thirty years back, financially and technologically. The players in the 21st century Moon exploration revival are Europe, India, and China. It is expected that the Americans may not stay aloof and that NASA may be jumping into the ring.

Europeans will be the first with the unmanned Smart-1 craft due for launch in early September 2003. This small spacecraft measuring just one cubic meter will arrive at the Moon, after a 16-month voyage. It will search for water-ice in craters, and determine the presence of minerals on the surface. Once there, it will also become a science platform for lunar observations. The data collected is expected to provide some indications about the origin of the moon. This data could be used along with custom-made computer software to map its topography and the distribution of key chemical elements. Smart-1 will also look for landing sites for future lunar explorations.

Most likely China would be fulfilling its ambition of manned space exploration during the year 2003. It is expected that China may launch a moon mission (unmanned) within the next three to four years. However, details are not known. They aim to bring lunar samples back to China for analysis. China aims to build a space station by 2005 and may even think of a base on the Moon after 2010.

India's space program has been proceeding since 1972, but a mission to the moon would be its first venture into deep space. India already has a proven satellite launch vehicle and plans to use
a modified version of the same rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), for the lunar shot. India's lunar mission is expected to launch a 400-kilogram satellite into orbit. It will go into polar orbit about 100 kilometers above the moon and will probe the physical characteristics of the lunar surface, and some of its physical, chemical and geochronological aspects.

The Indian mission is expected to provide a unique opportunity for frontier scientific research. The Indian satellite would be obtaining imagery of the moon's surface using high-resolution remote sensing instruments in the visible, near infrared, low and high-energy X-ray regions. The scientists plan to prepare a three dimensional atlas of the moon surface. The success of this mission may lead to planning for more ambitious missions in the years to come, which could be to other planets such as Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Mercury. The mission would enhance India's status as a potential partner in future space exploration.

What could be the reasons for this sudden international interest in the Moon? It can serve multiple purposes, from a natural science laboratory to a site for mining. We may even have a human colony on the moon in 20 years. This points to the need for international cooperation. China and India have long been seen as unofficial rivals for the leadership of the developing world, particularly in the field of scientific development. The Moon mission could be a result of this competition. The Americans have already planned to exploit the moon commercially. TransOrbital, a California based company, is sending a mission this October.  Personal items can be carried by this mission and deposited on the moon for a mere $2500 per gram! Apparently, people are sending letters, ashes of departed loved ones, and even business cards.

The current interest in the moon appears to be the first step in a larger plan for a planetary exploration. The Moon may serve as a case study for exploring other parts of the solar system.