India launches space mission to the sun a week after moon landing

Aditya-L1 is to observe sun's outermost layers and will be first vessel by any Asian nation to be placed in orbit around sun

The latest mission in India's ambitious space program has blasted off on a voyage towards the centre of the solar system, a week after the country's successful unmanned moon landing.

Aditya-L1 launched shortly before midday, with a live broadcast showing hundreds of spectators cheering wildly against the deafening noise of the rocket's ascent.