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Communication Lost With Indian Moon Satellite

stoolpigeon writes "All communication links with the only Indian satellite orbiting the Moon have been lost, India's space agency says. Radio contact with the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft was lost abruptly early on Saturday, said India's Bangalore-based Space Research Organization (ISRO)."

118 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. obligatory comment by girlintraining · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... Are they sure that was a moon?

    --
    #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    1. Re:obligatory comment by girlintraining · · Score: 3, Funny

      scratches head I'm trying to figure out how the first comment to the story could be "redundant". Hey, moderator who did that: You're a moron. Also, you will never have enough mod points to defeat me. nyaaaah. -_- Okay... my childish needs are satisfied for the afternoon.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    2. Re:obligatory comment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      It means "we've heard that joke too much & are sick of it." Your code word for this is obligatory, but since there's no "-1 Obligatory" the moderator used "-1 Redundant" which is actually a pretty common usage.

    3. Re:obligatory comment by girlintraining · · Score: 1, Funny

      It means "we've heard that joke too much & are sick of it." Your code word for this is obligatory, but since there's no "-1 Obligatory" the moderator used "-1 Redundant" which is actually a pretty common usage.

      *shrug* I hear star wars references at work at least once a day. I didn't think it was possible for them to get sick of it. I'm going with the notion that the moderator in question shorted himself on caffeine and hates life.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    4. Re:obligatory comment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      India's not far form Africa. Maybe it wasn't "lost" at all. Maybe it was stolen by a MOON CRICKET! Like maybe the moon cricket thought it looked like a bicycle or something.

    5. Re:obligatory comment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I hear star wars references at work at least once a day.

      Be that as it may, many are turning against non sequitur pop culture quotations as humor; xkcd 307 is a particularly relevant example.

    6. Re:obligatory comment by girlintraining · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Be that as it may, many are turning against non sequitur pop culture quotations as humor; xkcd 307 is a particularly relevant example.

      They're doing it because they don't like being left out when average people quote movies and television series they haven't seen. I learned a long time ago that appearing to be smart and intellectual all the time comes at a cost to my social life -- it's better to keep my education and intelligence "in my pocket" as it were. If that means knowing a few facts about the current mix of reality TV shows, and picking up a celebrity gossip magazine here and there, so be it. It just means that I have plans friday night while my geek friends sit at home grinding on World of Warcraft.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    7. Re:obligatory comment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      That would explain why he can't draw for shit.

    8. Re:obligatory comment by Rip+Dick · · Score: 1

      Soooo what are you doing next Friday?

    9. Re:obligatory comment by SL+Baur · · Score: 1

      It just means that I have plans friday night while my geek friends sit at home grinding on World of Warcraft.

      My plans for next Friday are to run heroics with my wife to help get her new level 80 geared up. Best of both worlds, I suppose.

    10. Re:obligatory comment by girlintraining · · Score: 1

      Soooo what are you doing next Friday?

      Not much besides hanging out with my girlfriend until she goes to the Vampire LARP game, then going over to a friend's house to watch some X-men: Evolution episodes with a friend. :P

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    11. Re:obligatory comment by lastgoodnickname · · Score: 1, Funny

      It's no mod, its a TRAP!

    12. Re:obligatory comment by ae1294 · · Score: 1

      -1 Flamebait by ae-1294 - "loss of smoke signals occurred sometime around noon."

      +2 Funny by A.C. - "India's not far form Africa. Maybe it wasn't "lost" at all. Maybe it was stolen by a MOON CRICKET! [urbandictionary.com] Like maybe the moon cricket thought it looked like a bicycle or something"

      WOW! the inmates are running the asylum...

    13. Re:obligatory comment by corrie · · Score: 1

      But when you leave school, you will find that the social stigma of geek vs. non-geek, disappears.

  2. Clearly... by SteveFoerster · · Score: 5, Funny

    They must have asked it something that wasn't on the script!

    --
    Space game using normal deck of cards: http://BattleCards.org
    1. Re:Clearly... by SpoodyGoon · · Score: 1

      I thought it but you had the guts to say it.

    2. Re:Clearly... by russlar · · Score: 4, Funny

      That's no call centre, that's the Moon!

      --
      Anybody want my mod points?
    3. Re:Clearly... by cbiltcliffe · · Score: 2, Funny

      I dunno. Maybe they just need to call tech support....

      --
      "City hall" in German is "Rathaus" Kinda explains a few things......
    4. Re:Clearly... by elrous0 · · Score: 1

      At least the press conference announcing the bad news featured a really cool dance number.

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  3. rfc1149 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    shortly before contact was lost the system was upgraded to be rfc1149 compliant

    1. Re:rfc1149 by flyingfsck · · Score: 1

      Hmm, they must have missed the part about 'low altitude'...

      --
      Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!
    2. Re:rfc1149 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I think someone must have been weezing the juice...

  4. Hopefully... by Sawopox · · Score: 2, Informative

    They will at least find out what happened. The more efficient space agencies we have exploring, the better overall for the planet.

    Makes the game more fun.

    --
    [http://it-tastes-so-good.blogspot.com] Are you hungry?
    1. Re:Hopefully... by vu2lid · · Score: 5, Informative

      I am quoting from a local language news paper ( http://www.keralakaumudi.com/ ) from India:

      Preliminary analysis shows that Chandrayan likely failed due to inadequate heat shielding (problem was radiated heat from the Moon) causing some of the instruments to fail (like Star Sensor). They raised the orbit to around 200km (from the initial 100km) to save the mission and it did not help much.

      According to the report Chandrayan was successful in completing 95 percent of the mission objectives. The reports also said that they (ISRO) are going ahead with the next moon mission.

    2. Re:Hopefully... by jesset77 · · Score: 1

      Chandrayan likely failed due to inadequate heat shielding (problem was radiated heat from the Moon)

      Epic! Satellite suffers from third degree moon-burns! ;D

      --
      People willing to trade their freedom of expression for temporary entertainment deserve neither and will lose both.
    3. Re:Hopefully... by Hurricane78 · · Score: 1

      Uuum... if it did not survive the "heat" of the Moon, how did it survive the real heat of earth (athmosphere) and launch then...?

      Smells fishy to me.

      --
      Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
  5. Bollywood's Apollo 13 by moon3 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hey India, maned mission next time around, show us some drama.

    1. Re:Bollywood's Apollo 13 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Maned" mission, eh? Are they sending lions into space to orbit the moon now?

    2. Re:Bollywood's Apollo 13 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      MIssion control has quickly invested the rest of their budget in a Bollywood-made lunar landing.

    3. Re:Bollywood's Apollo 13 by 0100010001010011 · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's just a pause before it breaks out in song and dance...

      Bollywood.

    4. Re:Bollywood's Apollo 13 by dangitman · · Score: 1

      India: now with the world's hottest astronauts!

      --
      ... and then they built the supercollider.
    5. Re:Bollywood's Apollo 13 by thrawn_aj · · Score: 1

      Hey India, maned mission next time around, show us some drama.

      You want them to send horses? o.O

  6. Aliens... by Gravedigger3 · · Score: 1

    have a base on the dark side. Obviously they are to blame.

    --
    All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be. -PF
    1. Re:Aliens... by John+Hasler · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I suppose they could have a mobile base that continually moves so as to always stay on the dark side, but wouldn't it make more sense to just put it on the far side and leave it there?

      --
      Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
    2. Re:Aliens... by Eevee · · Score: 1

      But then they'd have to invest in suntan lotion. You can't have excessive sunlight ruining that pale gray skin tone.

    3. Re:Aliens... by Foobar+of+Borg · · Score: 1

      why do you all just recirculate stupid memes?

      In Soviet Russia, stupid memes recirculate YOU!

    4. Re:Aliens... by SL+Baur · · Score: 1

      i thought nerds would be and could be more creative. why do you all just recirculate stupid memes?

      You must be new here.

      And they do provide a way to nuke all anonymous cowards from orbit.

    5. Re:Aliens... by jesset77 · · Score: 1

      The first rule of nuking the moon is, don't talk about nuking the moon. (see? you get modded down and flamed for it :D)

      Second rule of nuking the moon, is, well I can't tell you. It otherwise conflicts with the first rule. (damn you, Asimov!)

      --
      People willing to trade their freedom of expression for temporary entertainment deserve neither and will lose both.
    6. Re:Aliens... by jesset77 · · Score: 1

      I suppose they could have a mobile base that continually moves so as to always stay on the dark side, but wouldn't it make more sense to just put it on the far side and leave it there?

      Nah, "Dark Side of the Moon" always refers to the Far Side of the Moon relative to the Earth, even when the sun is illuminating that side. It is called "Dark" not for failure of the Sun to illuminate it, but for centuries of failure of human instruments to see it: "Dark" as in unknown, not unlit.

      Furthermore, as you do appear to be aware, that side never rotates back towards the earth. Thus, it's a great place to test nukes^W^W, I mean build a super secret moon base in a hollowed out, extinct moon volcano. :D

      --
      People willing to trade their freedom of expression for temporary entertainment deserve neither and will lose both.
  7. Go India! by goodmanj · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Before this thread fills up completely with cynical wisecracking Americans, let me be the first to say, as a cynical wisecracking American, go India!

    Seriously. You guys have a very solid set of rockets, a good broad focus (China's too focused on manned missions), and the technical skills to make it happen.

    See you at Jupiter someday!

    1. Re:Go India! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      But do not attempt landing on Europa.

    2. Re:Go India! by quarterbuck · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The whole mission cost only $75 million, about 7 times the Ansari X-Prize (still considerably bigger than Google Lunar X-Prize though). That's pretty cheap for a full moonshot and satellite. So I guess India can afford to lose a few satellites here and there.
      Last month they had a malfunction and pulled the satellite up from a 100km orbit to a 200 km one , so the images are of lower quality than planned. I am guessing there will be another moonshot now, considering they just started calling this the "Chandrayan-1" instead of "Chandrayan" with no numbers next to it.

      --
      http://slashdot.org/submission/1062723/Cheap-mobile-data-plan?art_pos=2
    3. Re:Go India! by dangle · · Score: 2, Informative

      There's an interesting (for many reasons) video on the Chandrayaan site:

      http://www.isro.org/chandrayaan/htmls/resources_videoCrater.htm

      In it, they allude to India as having the second highest number of scientists in the world.

      Overall, a successful mission, given the difficulty and chance of failure (Item 20 in their FAQ):

      http://www.isro.org/chandrayaan/htmls/faqs.htm

    4. Re:Go India! by FleaPlus · · Score: 5, Informative

      Before this thread fills up completely with cynical wisecracking Americans, let me be the first to say, as a cynical wisecracking American, go India!

      Seriously. You guys have a very solid set of rockets, a good broad focus (China's too focused on manned missions), and the technical skills to make it happen.

      Also, I found it a little strange that the BBC article didn't mention this, but the Chandrayaan-1 had already been in successful operation for 312 days and had completed all of its primary mission goals. It had already collected plenty of scientific data, distributed to not just Indian scientists but also collaborators in Europe and the US. Of course, another year would be nice, but I'd consider the project a stunning success by just about any reasonable definition, especially since it was India's first ever lunar probe.

      I look forward to India's Chandrayaan-2, which is planned to land a robotic rover on the Moon in 2012.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrayaan-1#Completion_of_primary_objectives

    5. Re:Go India! by winwar · · Score: 2, Interesting

      "What's strange about the Western media ignoring the enormous positive achievements of anyone..."

      There. Fixed it for you.

      News: We did it, allies did it (maybe), perceived threat did it (China, Russia, etc.)

      Not News: Pretty much anybody else.

    6. Re:Go India! by IronChef · · Score: 1

      Ditto. Welcome to the show, guys.

    7. Re:Go India! by Entropic+Alchemist · · Score: 1

      I am guessing there will be another moonshot now, considering they just started calling this the "Chandrayan-1" instead of "Chandrayan" with no numbers next to it.

      Apparently they have already completed the design phase of Chandrayan-2 http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=19032%20&%20section=5

      --
      Remember the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Let the Lord of Chaos Rule
    8. Re:Go India! by oiron · · Score: 1

      From the moment it was announced, it was Chandrayaan-1... There were always plans for more (including possibly manned missions, IIRC).

    9. Re:Go India! by force_n · · Score: 1

      ISRO (which) conducted the mission, has also launched the very successful INSAT sattellite system http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_National_Satellite_System . They have there own "Launch Vehicles". One of the few, deserving, Indian govt. owned organisation.

    10. Re:Go India! by goodmanj · · Score: 1

      I admit that some of my bias is political. This is irrelevant to the scientific issue, but present nonetheless. But politics aside, when China puts a man on the moon, I will be cheering.

      But I stand by what I said, there is a difference in focus. China's future space plans (going by Wikipedia here, sorry) seem to focus on manned missions to orbit, space stations, and a manned moon expedition. They've got a robotic mission to lunar orbit finished, but have no concrete plans for robotic rovers or landers that I can see. Planetary exploration is mentioned, but only vaguely.

      In contrast, India is working on manned missions, but they're already working on a robotic lunar rover, and are starting to plan for a robotic Mars mission.

      I personally believe that the U.S. space program is too focused on manned spaceflight, so that's why I'm cheering extra hard for India's robots.

  8. So they called tech support... by prisoner-of-enigma · · Score: 4, Funny

    OPERATOR: Hello, my name is Prakesh Vijay Chandrashekar Subrayaman, but please call me "Bob." What seems to be the problem today?

    MISSION CONTROL: We've lost communications with our lunar satellite.

    "BOB": I see. Well, have you tried rebooting the system?

    MC: There is no system to reboot. It's a satellite, not a PC!

    "BOB": I see. Well, have you checked to see if the power cord is plugged into the device?

    MC: Are you not listening? There is no power cord, it's a *satellite*.

    "BOB": I see. Well, sir, I'll need you to find the original CD-ROM that came with the satellite and put it into the CD-ROM drive, the turn the power off, then turn it back on again.

    MC: OK, this is getting ridiculous, "Bob". I thought this was the satellite technical support line. Do you know anything about *satellites*?

    "BOB": I see. Well, let me see what I can do. Can I place you on hold for four or five hours?

    MC: -- click --

    --
    In the end they will lay their freedom at our feet and say to us, Make us your slaves, but feed us. - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
    1. Re:So they called tech support... by 1s44c · · Score: 2, Funny

      You sir, are completely out of touch with tech support scripts.

      You say that like it's a bad thing.

      Now go and unplug your dam satellite and hold the reset button down whilst plugging it in.

    2. Re:So they called tech support... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      You left out the part where they say in indianglish
      "BOB": We're very sorry that you are experiencing this problem. This problem is by our hand and we will take care of it. Once again, we are very sorry, now can you please begin by giving me your first name?
      MC: Mission
      "BOB": OK "Mission", can you now give me your last name?
      MC: Control
      "BOB": OK Mr. "Control", do you mind if I call you "Mission"?
      MC: Uhm, OK.
      "BOB": OK, "Mission" can you look for me on the side of your satellite and read me the service tag on the sticker?
      MC: It's in freaking space.
      "BOB": We're very sorry sir that you are becoming agitated, but we cannot find your account without the service tag to work with.
      MC: Go frak yourself.

      captcha: Mooned

    3. Re:So they called tech support... by CheeseTroll · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's Mission Control's fault, for calling the Toshiba Satellite tech support number.

      --
      A post a day keeps productivity at bay.
    4. Re:So they called tech support... by Stormy+Dragon · · Score: 1

      That's when NASA calls satellite tech support. When the Indian space program calls satellite tech support, they get a guy speaking barely comprehensible Urdu with a heavy American accent.

  9. Aliens by Groggnrath · · Score: 1

    Of course you know what this means. Alien invasion. And not the good kind like they have on the playboy channel late at night.

    I for one welcome our new satellite crushing overlords.

    1. Re:Aliens by TangoMargarine · · Score: 1

      No no no, it was supposed to be headed for Mars when they got it! And we missed out on the video feed.

      --
      Unity? Screw that: XFCE. Slashdot Beta? Screw that: SoylentNews. Australis? Screw that: Pale Moon. UX developers DIAF
    2. Re:Aliens by Entropic+Alchemist · · Score: 1

      But its not even Christmas yet!

      --
      Remember the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Let the Lord of Chaos Rule
  10. data shows no sign of altitude loss, rapid decel by Locutus · · Score: 4, Funny

    Could it be that the last few seconds of data shows no sign of altitude loss and rapid deceleration?
    Maybe it ran into a rather large, mostly colorless, and smooth monolith.

    LoB

    --
    "Anyone who stands out in the middle of a road looks like roadkill to me." --Linus
  11. Japan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I barely remember as a kid, folks used to make fun of Japanese made stuff.

    Then the 80s came.

    If your kids don't have any genius level talent - and I'm mean they leave their peers in the dust without any assistance from you - encourage them to go to law school and become some sort of elected official. In the near future, if you're not some sort of Government VIP, you'll be little people. Joseph P. Kennedy was so far ahead of his time for pushing his kids into politics. Why else would a multimillionaire (made illegally - allegedly did business with Al Capone- and by means that became illegal) push his kids into Government?

    1. Re:Japan by Dreadneck · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      Joseph P. Kennedy was so far ahead of his time for pushing his kids into politics.

      Joe Kennedy was not ahead of his time. What he did has been done repeatedly down through the ages - first aquire wealth then establish your line firmly within the ruling/governing class.

      --
      Power does not corrupt - power attracts the corrupt.
    2. Re:Japan by SL+Baur · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I barely remember as a kid, folks used to make fun of Japanese made stuff.

      Yeah, and after mastering the art of kaizen (and retooling after the war), nobody was laughing at "Made in Japan" any more.

      India has refused to cripple themselves with c(r)ap and trade.

      I know of at least two folks I mentored at work in the mid 1980s who are now university professors. I'm following my job to India, and I'll take up the role I've always taken up and be tutoring as many people as I can. I already have a "conspiracy" set up with a (very) bright programmer in Bangalore to tutor as many coworkers as we can.

      India will not always be considered backwards and disrespected. I think that's a good thing. Competition Is Good.

    3. Re:Japan by perlponsarun · · Score: 1

      Your patience and dedication will definitely help the young programmers to learn a lot from you. Welcome to India brother.

    4. Re:Japan by Dreadneck · · Score: 1

      Offtopic? Really?

      --
      Power does not corrupt - power attracts the corrupt.
  12. manufacturer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I got the impression the satellite was less Indian than International (or at least there were American payload on board), so the datalink equipment may not be of Indian in origin (too many cooks spoiled the broth; see also Boeing 787).

    1. Re:manufacturer? by WindBourne · · Score: 1

      No, the expensive instruments were other countries. The backbone was India's (power system, comm link, etc). Now, as to losing communication with the sat, give it time. It is possible that it will be regained. It could be a simple issue, that will be solved.

      --
      I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
  13. reboot ? by georgeav · · Score: 2, Funny

    Have they tried turning it off and on again?

    1. Re:reboot ? by lxt518052 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Watchdog.

      --
      People who dislike China tend to mention Tiananmen Square a lot, but they always forget the Tank Man is also a Chinese.
    2. Re:reboot ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Watchdog.

      it saddens me that most people here probably don't know what that means.

    3. Re:reboot ? by snowraver1 · · Score: 5, Funny

      For the uninformed:

      When the Soviets launched Sputnik 2 a small dog was on board. The dog had been trained to monitor the primitive electronics on board. Unfortunately the dog was not that good at monitoring the life support equipment and died of suffocation. The idea lived on though but now we use monkeys. They tend to be a little smarter and they can turn dials in addition to pushing buttons. Most commercial satellites now launch with monkeys aboard.

      --
      Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. This comment may not be copied in any way including, but not limited to caching.
    4. Re:reboot ? by F�an�ro · · Score: 4, Insightful

      When the Soviets launched Sputnik 2 a small dog was on board. The dog had been trained to monitor the primitive electronics on board. Unfortunately the dog was not that good at monitoring the life support equipment and died of suffocation. The idea lived on though but now we use monkeys. They tend to be a little smarter and they can turn dials in addition to pushing buttons. Most commercial satellites now launch with monkeys aboard.

      Excellent bullshit. I'd give it a 4.7

    5. Re:reboot ? by selven · · Score: 1

      The idea lived on though but now we use monkeys. They tend to be a little smarter and they can turn dials in addition to pushing buttons. Most commercial satellites now launch with monkeys aboard.

      Won't the monkeys be too busy writing Shakespeare?

  14. The world is not okay by brusk · · Score: 2, Funny

    2009 was the year the Indian lunar satellite went out of control.

    --
    .sig withheld by request
    1. Re:The world is not okay by LifesABeach · · Score: 1

      Just a thought, but, "Out Sourcing to India", didn't quite have the benefits everyone thought?

    2. Re:The world is not okay by martas · · Score: 1

      i don't get this.

  15. Re:data shows no sign of altitude loss, rapid dece by sharkey · · Score: 4, Funny

    Blessed Ganesha, it's full of cows!

    --

    --
    "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  16. Please do the needful! by Random+Q.+Hacker · · Score: 3, Informative

    If the needful had been done, this would not have happened.

    1. Re:Please do the needful! by davek · · Score: 1

      two years after becoming the only American developer at my company, and I am starting to realize that "doing the needful" is not just an error in translation.

      --
      6th Street Radio @ddombrowsky
    2. Re:Please do the needful! by panthrkub · · Score: 2, Informative
  17. Huh? by readin · · Score: 1

    Wait, India has its own moon? and that moon has a satellite? And we now have eight planets instead of nine?

    I think the Indians stole something...

    --
    I often don't like the choices people make, but I like the fact that people make choices. That's why I'm a conservative.
    1. Re:Huh? by atomic-penguin · · Score: 1

      Haha, that's how I read it too. India has their own moon, it is news to me.

      --
      /^([Ss]ame [Bb]at (time, |channel.)){2}$/
    2. Re:Huh? by craagz · · Score: 1

      All wrong..this is India's own Moon , Moon Uncle

  18. Link to another forum- same topic by Advocatus+Diaboli · · Score: 3, Informative

    A more detailed discussion - from the Indian viewpoint. http://forums.bharat-rakshak.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4395&start=1440

  19. Orbiting the moon is exceptionally difficult by QuoteMstr · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Orbiting the moon is a lot harder than orbiting the earth. The moon's gravitational field is exceptionally lumpy because of concentrations of mass beneath the surface. If not actively corrected for, these mass concentrations will make a satellite's orbit go through increasingly violent gyrations until it eventually intersects with the surface.

    I wonder if this is what happened to the Indian probe.

    1. Re:Orbiting the moon is exceptionally difficult by RocketRocketship · · Score: 2, Insightful

      While that sounds pretty good, I'm fairly certain from a logical standpoint the odds of impacting the moon are as good or worse than the odds of leaving orbit and flying out into space. (Especially with the low gravity levels of the moon.)

      I'm less than certain. Intersecting with the Moon would only require changes in ellipticity, whereas causing the satellite to become unbound would require a considerable increase in the satellite's kinetic energy.

    2. Re:Orbiting the moon is exceptionally difficult by Buelldozer · · Score: 4, Insightful

      No.

      The lumps of heavier density inside the moon caused localized areas of increased gravity which tries to pull the satellite down. There is no force, except that provided by any motors on board the satellite, that would sent it out towards space.

      What school of logic do you claim as an Alma Mata?

    3. Re:Orbiting the moon is exceptionally difficult by quarterbuck · · Score: 1

      No. They had an earlier malfunction which was corrected by pulling the satellite up from a lower orbit. They were flying fine at 100 Km altitude earlier, and they moved it up to 200 km to be safe. They were actively studying gravitational perturbations of the surface, so it is unlikely that they did not plan for such an eventuality.
      The Official press release seems to indicate that it was a communications failure this time. The contact was lost abruptly this time. If it was falling I would assume that there would be a good quarter an hour before losing control at 200Km and slamming into the ground.

      --
      http://slashdot.org/submission/1062723/Cheap-mobile-data-plan?art_pos=2
    4. Re:Orbiting the moon is exceptionally difficult by I.M.O.G. · · Score: 1

      What you said actually makes sense upon further thought. I wouldn't call myself certain in either line of thought currently.

      My original thought was that after going through an area of increased gravitational pull, then hitting an area of lower gravitational pull, the satellite's trajectory would be altered in such a way over time that it could break free from the gravitational effect of the moon if it hits a lower gravitational field at a necessary point within its altered orbital path.

      Now what I'm curious about is if we'd know if the satellite impacted the moon. With the minimal moon atmosphere, I'd expect the satellite to create a pretty good impact/crater when it crashes down. With other satellites orbiting and creating imagery of the moon's surface, would we know if it crashed down, or even where it would have impacted?

    5. Re:Orbiting the moon is exceptionally difficult by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      No.

      The lumps of heavier density inside the moon caused localized areas of increased gravity which tries to pull the satellite down. There is no force, except that provided by any motors on board the satellite, that would sent it out towards space.

      No other force is required. Inhomogeneities in the moon's density change the effective radial potential (central force + angular momentum contribution) felt by the satellite with the satellite's angular position relative to the moon. This could easily throw the satellite into a parabolic or hyperbolic orbit.

      What school of logic do you claim as an Alma Mata?

      If you insist on using this line when being snarky in the future, it's "Alma Mater".

  20. In other news... by bmo · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    A radio signal was detected from the Moon and appears to be aimed at Io.

    --
    BMO

  21. Re:Was the satellite outsourced for design and bui by Quothz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I've met a number of Indian 'tech' people, programmers and tech support included, and I've come to the conclusion that India doesn't actually suck at tech. In fact, they are quite good at it. The bad rep comes from the fact that they are pushing so much of their populace into tech-related fields that they've been forced to draft in people who aren't actually good at it.

    I've met a number of 'tech' people, programmers and tech support included, and I've come to the conclusion that people don't actually suck at tech. In fact, some are quite good at it. The bad rep comes from the fact that society is pushing so much of the populace into tech-related fields that they've been forced to draft in people who aren't actually good at it.

  22. Oh My! by AnnonUSA · · Score: 1

    Can't they just call the Satellite Call Support center?

  23. Naah, it's just the greys. by h00manist · · Score: 1

    They shot it down, and the thing in is pieces on moon-land. India didn't secure the proper intergalactical alien green card space visitor visa passport stamps before their visit. They thought they could just show up and drive around the moon a bit.

    --
    Build your own energy sources from scratch. http://otherpower.com/
  24. Re:Was the satellite outsourced for design and bui by CarpetShark · · Score: 1

    I've met a number of people, programmers and tech support included, and I've come to the conclusion that people don't actually suck at being human. In fact, some are quite good at it. The bad rep comes from the fact that society is pushing so much of the populace into human-related fields that they've been forced to draft in people who aren't actually good at it.

  25. Re:data shows no sign of altitude loss, rapid dece by puddles · · Score: 1

    +5 would laugh again

  26. Sigh by WindBourne · · Score: 4, Informative

    I wish that ppl would stop trying to assign DOLLAR figures to China, Indian, or any other country that ties their money to a certain money. Saying that it cost 75 million is plain wrong (most estimates in India show it to be in the $90-95 million). Right now, the Rupee is FORCED by India to trade at 48 rupee to a dollar. According to most economist, it should be around half of that, or possibly less (more difficult to pin this down, than say the Chinese games with Yuans). As such, the missions is around $150-200 million. But, that is STILL not the full truth. The majority of expensive instruments on the sat are from different countries. Basically, the LAUNCH is what costs about $100-150 million, with the sat being less than $50 million. And at a 100 million per launch, they are on par with America, Russia, and EU.

    I am not trying to belittle their efforts. In fact, far from it. I applaud them and hope that we will bring them into the ISS down the road. BUT, I still prefer that ppl are honest about what is going on.

    --
    I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    1. Re:Sigh by vu2lid · · Score: 1

      Right now, the Rupee is FORCED by India to trade at 48 rupee to a dollar.

      Not correct - during the past 2 years INR (Indian Rupee) has fluctuated between around 37 to 52 to a USD (right now it is around 48 - exchange rate changes almost daily).

    2. Re:Sigh by WindBourne · · Score: 1

      Not correct - during the past 2 years INR (Indian Rupee) has fluctuated between around 37 to 52 to a USD (right now it is around 48 - exchange rate changes almost daily).
      The Ruppee IS fixed against the dollar. The reason why it was lowered was because good were expensive in India. When they started increasing the value against the dollar, IBM, Verizon, and a number of software companies threatened to pull out of there and return to the USA. As such, India put it back to 48.

      More important, that is what lead India to announce that they were simply going to violate a number of patents against western drugs (and quietly have done other products as well). These items were too expensive. They were hoping to force western companies to do for India what they have done in China ($2 MS Windows; $100 drugs available for .50; etc). Both are sick; Worse, India (and more China) are destroying free trade with their policies. China WANTS to do that. But for India, they are making a mistake. One last thing. This was pointed out to me by several Indians that knew this. They have talked about the mistakes that India is doing, and are hoping that it will stop.

      Officially, the Indian rupee has a market determined exchange rate. However, the RBI trades actively in the USD/INR currency market to impact effective exchange rates. Thus, the currency regime in place for the Indian rupee with respect to the US dollar is a de facto controlled exchange rate. This is sometimes called a dirty or managed float. Other rates such as the EUR/INR and INR/JPY have volatilities that are typical of floating exchange rates.[5]

      --
      I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    3. Re:Sigh by ramsun · · Score: 1

      You have no clue what you are talking about. BTW, good job with selectively misquoting Wikipedia. That article goes on to read, ""It should be noted, however, that unlike China, successive administrations (through RBI, the central bank) have not followed a policy of pegging the INR to a specific foreign currency at a particular exchange rate. RBI intervention in currency markets is solely to deliver low volatility in the exchange rates, and not to take a view on the rate or direction of the Indian rupee in relation to other currencies."

      The rupee was never fixed against the dollar - it fluctuates continuously. The RBI (India's Central Bank, like the US Federal Reserve) intervenes periodically, buying or selling dollars IN THE MARKET, AT MARKET RATE to reduce volatility. This is called a managed float. Developing countries do this to reduce sudden runs on their currency.

      However, the general trend has been that the Rupee has been steadily declining. One factor has been the huge public debt that the Indian government has built up.

      And India never "violated" any patents. Indian law provided for "process" patents, instead of "product" patents, in pharmaceuticals. This meant that the same molecule could be created by a different process by another company without violating patent law. This is a far more sensible approach - the company creating the molecule has a head start of a year or two while others create alternative processes.

      Seriously, stop generalising and read up some of the stuff you're pontificating about.

    4. Re:Sigh by vu2lid · · Score: 1

      The Ruppee IS fixed against the dollar. The reason why it was lowered was because good were expensive in India. When they started increasing the value against the dollar, IBM, Verizon, and a number of software companies threatened to pull out of there and return to the USA. As such, India put it back to 48. ...

      This should be moderated as "funny" or "Troll" - I hope someone will do that :)

  27. Re:data shows no sign of altitude loss, rapid dece by drspliff · · Score: 2, Funny

    Enjoyed reading post, A++++ slashdotter, would read again.

  28. Communications were fine upto a hieght by funnybunnny · · Score: 1

    Then the cable snapped.

  29. Re:They can find it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    oh god you forgot your medication again. Are you going to be roaming here for a while? ok ok thats fine I'm not gonna hurt you, im not gonna hurt you, im not gonna hurt you, (mf soab)... time to visit my /b/tards

    also FUCK YOU!!!!!!111111iiiieno

  30. Wtf BBC? Seriously? by baboonlogic · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Some critics regard the space programme as a waste of resources in a country where millions still lack basic services.

    Seriously BBC... wtf is up with that? India is a trillion dollar economy and this was 75 million usd project. Can I say chump change? For some context, India recently announced a really stupid 30 billion usd national id scheme. While reporting that, you did not care to mention India's millions that lack basic services. Why do you hate India and real scientific progress so much?

  31. Re:Wtf BBC? Seriously? by Sl4shd0t0rg · · Score: 1

    I don't think the BBC is saying that THEY are the critics in question.

  32. Re:Wtf BBC? Seriously? by jchandra · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Some critics regard BBC as a waste of resources in a country where millions lack basic services.

    India may be lying in the gutter, but at least they are looking up, and working hard on getting out.

    --
    god n. : the Supreme Being, indistinguishable from a good random number generator.
  33. Re:Wtf BBC? Seriously? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Imho, "some critics" is pretty weak. You will always find "some critics" to criticize almost anything. When reporters chooses to put them in the report, they are betraying their own opinions and biases or at least saying that the criticism is legit.

  34. Shouldn't you be more worried about Uranus? by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 1

    Subject says it all.

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

  35. Re:data shows no sign of altitude loss, rapid dece by thrawn_aj · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Blessed Ganesha, it's full of cows!

    Nicely done (and in good taste too :)). Pity you're all alone in a sea of mediocre pseudo-wits :(.

    I'm not offended as an Indian (by the over-abused and lame tech support jokes that litter the desolate landscape of this thread); I'm offended as a connoisseur of good comedy . Seriously dudes (who-probably-lost-their-jobs-to-outsourcing-and-are-surprisingly-hard-to-feel-sympathy-for-at-this-particular-moment), that meme is about as funny as the one about Soviet Russia or even *shudder* sharks with lasers. It is scary that Fark is so much better at meme-based humor than the supposedly godlike nerds that inhabit this realm.

  36. Congrats India! by herojig · · Score: 2, Interesting

    What an achievement for a country where you can't use your credit card in most places, and where Banks don't even have reliable phone service. Reminds of the time I enfielded from Delhi to Gaya and in the middle of a tea stop a white-robed local came up to me shouting angrily in Hindi and broken English, "India is Great! India is Great!" I responded by buying him a cup, and that seemed to calm him down after I halfheartedly agreed with him, but now I wish now I had the stats on Chandrayaan-1 and perhaps some print outs of the photos sent back. Congrats to the Bangalore team!

    --
    I think therefore I can't be ~TTNH
  37. Re:Wtf BBC? Seriously? by CopaceticOpus · · Score: 1

    And how does feeding people for one day or providing one town health care for ten years solve the long term problems that India faces? At least your suggestion of building sewage treatment plants has the potential for providing long term benefits. However, I suspect that increasing India's level of technological expertise will go farther towards increasing its wealth (and hence its ability to care for its citizens) than anything you suggested.

  38. Re:Wtf BBC? Seriously? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Two words: [citation needed]

    India is doing if not better, at least as good as any low to middle income country in the world as far as healthcare is concerned. Combined government and non-government expenditure on health is more than 6% GDP which is what China and other low to mid income countries spend. (Source: WHR 2008).

    There might be some well off people in india but the vast majority of the population live in poverty that westerners would find hard to imagine.

    This was true decades ago. You will be surprised what consistent 8% growth over many years can do. The vast majority in India is now above the International poverty line. World Bank 2005 estimates suggest that the percentage of people living below $1.25 a day in 2005 decreased from 60% in 1981 to 42% in 2005. At a dollar a day, poverty declined from 42% to 24% over the same period. (Source:World Bank Povert report 2005)

  39. Well said - counterblast to dumb posters by fantomas · · Score: 1

    Well said sir. Not many countries have operated a satellite around the moon and achieved their primary objectives in nearly a year of successful operation. The more countries (and private concerns) that do so the better, we need more countries with space ambitions. It's very likely only one country will have the capability to launch people into space in the near future, it's easy to fear a time when we cease to have meaningful explorations into space at all.

    A bit of a shame that the majority of slashdot posts just make crap / racist jokes regarding what seems to have been a pretty successful first mission (how many lunar expeditions failed for the USA or Russia?)

    I fear the slashdot postings that will get published if an African country puts a satellite into lunar orbit.

    Nice one India, go for it.

  40. Re:Wtf BBC? Seriously? by quotationspage · · Score: 1

    "A country is not made of land; a country is made of its people." -- G.A.Rao

  41. Re:Wtf BBC? Seriously? by gbjbaanb · · Score: 1

    Some critics regard the space programme as a waste of resources in a country where millions still lack basic services.

    well, I've been to rural Alabama. Which country was the critics talking about again?

  42. Re:Was the satellite outsourced for design and bui by Skuld-Chan · · Score: 1

    I think the problem is a bit more deep. Having sat in on interview boards for hiring high level technicians in India (basically hiring my replacement) I thought it was a major plus if they showed up to the interview, and another major plus if they seemed to understand our questions and answer back - never mind analyzing what they told us (since I couldn't understand it).

    So you may have to hire like 5 people in the hopes you get someone who is technical - which is what they did. They hired 10 people at 60,000 Rupee's a month (thats like 1200 usd) to replace essentially 2 technicians here in the US. It may not sound like a lot, but the company provided meals, free room and board and had a lot of other perks I've never seen here in the US.

    I found the hiring process there to be so scary that I really don't understand the cost savings from hiring in India that everyone is clamoring still to get on board with.

  43. Re:Was the satellite outsourced for design and bui by lennier · · Score: 1

    How does one fail at living?

    Oh... right. That.

    Humanity: 100% fail rate. Guaranteed.

    --
    You are not a brain: http://books.google.com/books?id=2oV61CeDx-YC
  44. Re:Was the satellite outsourced for design and bui by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

    I'd say that means overall, on average, they aren't very good at it.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."