Chandrayaan's historic find was splashed across British dailies on Thursday. It was a story, which has opened a new chapter on how space scientists are now seeing the moon.

The world is applauding Indian scientists for the achievement.

The Guardian writes, "The man who led the mission, Dr Mylswamy Annadurai, told the Times today how pleased he was at the discovery, which significantly enhances India's position in its space race with China."

India's lunar mission finding water on the moon is the big story in almost every British newspaper. It is being described as the most exciting breakthrough in decades, something that could change the face of lunar exploration in the future. What has so far been in the realm of science fiction -- people settling on the moon -- becomes a real possibility.

Across the Atlantic, there is clear appreciation of ISRO's status as a fledgling space power through articles that have tended to focus on how the moon minerology mapper mounted on the lunar satellite has made the discovery.

"Back in the Apollo days, I was one of those firmly against lunar water. (Now) I've eaten my shorts," the New York Times quotes scientist Lawrence A Taylor, who studied the data beamed back by Chandrayaan, as saying.

For India the success of Chandrayaan means being catapulted to the status of a first rate space power.

"I could say indirectly that it pertinently inspired a large segment of the society to come forward and say that we should undertake this mission," said Dr K Kasturirangan, Member, Planning Commission.

For international scientists though, the focus remains on the findings themselves, some of which are the most profound space discoveries.

Western commentators are also saying this consolidates India's position as a global space power, giving a huge boost to India in what is being seen as the 21st century space race between India and China.