A ROCKET TO THE MOON, WATER-ROCKET AT A TIME....

MUMBAI: Post-monsoon, Mumbaikars, especially those who are fascinated with space technology, can look forward to a new type of competition in the city.

The competition relates to water rockets and it will be organised by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).

This was announced by Isro's chief spokesperson, S Satish, on Thursday at the launch of the Nehru Planetarium's new show, "Conquest of the moon and the secrets of the sun."

A water rocket is a device which moves by the expulsion of pressurised water through its nozzle. These are working rocket models which are built with pressurised plastic soft drink bottles. They are easy to build and the components can be purchased at any stationary shop.

Satish said that water rockets will teach city students about space technology and make them familiar with building rockets."We plan to focus on the city now," he said. According to him, as part of the public outreach programme relating to India's maiden voyage to the moon, "Chandrayaan-1," Isro plans to conduct essay and poster competitions for youngsters in different cities.

He told TOI that Isro is aiming for a launch date of September 19, 2008, for Chandrayaan. "But, the final date will be decided towards the end of this month," he said, while pointing out that the launch can be conducted till October 16, 2008.

Preparations for kicking off the Chandrayaan launch campaign at Sriharikota have been initiated and the lunar satellite is undergoing various tests at the Isro Satellite Centre. The launch campaign is slated to take off 50 days prior to the lift off.