India has successfully launched its first mission to the Moon.

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

One key objective will be to search for surface or sub-surface water-ice on the Moon, especially at the poles.
Another will be to detect Helium 3, an isotope that is rare on Earth, but is sought to power nuclear fusion and could be a valuable source of energy in the future.