 Other entities to have done so are the former Soviet Union, the United States, and Japan.The probe was a product of former President Abdul Kalam's vision who felt that since the Chandrayaan orbiter was already going so near to the Moon, the mission would have more scientific relevance if the probe was included.He believed that the Moon could not be left to a few countries and that India should not be left behind The "Times of India" also reported a political motive by former president Abdul Kalam as "He believed that if this was done, India "could always stake" a claim to a portion of the Moon."