India asks for help with moon mission

CHANDIGARGH, India, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has invited scientists to design experiments for the country's first moon mission, the BBC reported Wednesday.

The Chandrayaan mission, which will consist of an unmanned lunar probe, is scheduled for launch in 2007 or 2008.

Addressing the Indian Science Congress, Kalam, a former scientist himself, said Indian researchers should come forward with ideas for onboard experiments.

"The exploration of the Moon through Chandrayaan will electrify the entire country, particularly young scientists and children," he said. "Since you are all scientists, I want to convey to you ... any scientist who wants to do that research on the moon or wants to research the moon environment, we'll support them," he said.

Kalam also urged scientists to work for the good of the developing world and help India attain its declared goal of becoming a developed country by the year 2020.

Agricultural yields must double in 10 years, Kalam said, and scientists must develop a vaccine against HIV. He also called for greater water security for the country by interlinking rivers and building desalination plants, and he said he suppported developing a nuclear reactor that could exploit India's vast reserves of thorium.