The case for the first Indian robotic mission to the Moon

The Moon is a key to planetary science and exploration. The Indian space program has the capability to design, build and launch its own satellites, with its successful PSLV and GSLV rockets. Also, ISRO has developed science satellites and instrumentation. In this context, the Indian science community and ISRO have discussed and studied in depth the possibility of a lunar mission (Chandrayaan-1), with an instrumented spacecraft through an Indian launcher. We would like to address in this article the scientific value of the mission, its timeliness, challenges and scope for international cooperation.