India Moon probe 'malfunctions' 印度月球探测器“发生故障”

India's first mission to the Moon has experienced a technical problem, India's space research officials say.

印度空间研究官员称，印度第一次探月试验遇到了技术上的问题。

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Chandrayaan will compile a 3-D atlas of the Moon

A sensor² of the unmanned Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft has "malfunctioned⁴（故障）" and steps have been taken to ensure it is able to continue its work, they say.

But the possibility remains⁵ that the mission may have to be cut short.

Chandrayaan-1 was launched last October and is regarded as a major step for India as it seeks to keep pace with other space-faring nations in Asia.

Scientists belonging to the Indian Space Research Organisation⁶ (Isro) said that the "vital star sensor" of the spacecraft had "malfunctioned".

"The mission is safe, but its lifespan may be affected⁷," Isro spokesman S Satish told the BBC.

For the moment the spacecraft has been placed on a higher orbit, but officials say this could affect the quality of the photographs being sent back.

The unmanned Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft was launched into space from southern Andhra Pradesh state.

The spacecraft is on a two-year mission of exploration.

The robotic probe will orbit the Moon, compiling a 3-D atlas（地图集） of the lunar surface and mapping the distribution of elements and minerals.

"We have already got useful information from the pictures beamed（有梁的）," said an Isro official.

But he said the "quality of the pictures" had been affected because of the malfunction³.

Powered by a single solar panel generating about 700 watts⁸, the Isro probe carries five Indian-built instruments and six constructed in other countries, including the US, Britain and Germany.

The mission is expected to cost 3.8bn rupees (£45m; $78m), considerably⁹ less than Japanese and Chinese probes sent to the Moon last year.

But the Indian government's space efforts have not been welcomed by all.

Some critics regard the space programme as a waste of resources in a country where millions still lack basic services.