India's maiden moon mission

To reach out for the moon: A thick trail of smoke is seen in the sky soon after the launch of Chandrayaan-1, India's maiden lunar mission at the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. (AP)

A perfect take-off: India launched it's first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, rocketing the satellite up into the pale dawn sky in a two-year mission to redraw maps of the lunar surface. (AP)

To conquer the sky: Chandrayaan-1, India's maiden lunar mission, sits on the launch pad before the launch that was scheduled at 06:20 am at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.Chandrayaan-1 will join Japanese and Chinese crafts currently in orbit around the moon for a two-year mission designed to map out the whole lunar surface. (AP)

Witnessing a spectacular sight: People crowd on a terrace to witness the launch of Chandrayaan-1, India's maiden lunar mission at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. (AP)

A proud moment: Indian Space Research Organization scientists, viewed on a television screen, are seen congratulating each other after the successful launch of Chandrayaan-1, India's maiden lunar mission, at the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. (AP)

Satellite take-off: India launched its first mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-1, rocketing a satellite up into the pale dawn sky. (AP)