Moon mission likely to be put off to June

Chandrayaan-1, India's first mission to the Moon, scheduled to be launched in April this year, is likely to be postponed to June, an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) official said here today.

The much-awaited mission was originally scheduled to be held on April nine or April 23 from India's spaceport at Sriharikota.

"Now, it looks doubtful in April. We are working on a (different) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission for March-April which is important. Chandrayaan-1 is likely to be postponed to June," an ISRO official said here.

The official, however, said a final call on the launch date would be taken later this month.