The Launch Vehicle – PSLV-C25 will inject the Spacecraft into an Elliptical Parking Orbit with a perigee of 250 km and an apogee of 23,500 km. With six Liquid Engine firing, the spacecraft is gradually maneuvered into a hyperbolic trajectory with which it escapes from the Earth’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) and arrives at the Mars Sphere of Influence. When ... Read More »
They are here! Mangalyaan’s first offering to India is out in the open. Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) released on Thursday the first image of Mars clicked by the indigenous Mangalyaan, which took India to soaring heights a day ago by slipping into the Red Planet’s orbit on the country’s maiden attempt. Isro said the photograph — named ‘First Light’ — it posted ... Read More »
Indeed this is very interesting to know the internals of a spacecraft! Here we go: The spacecraft configuration is a balanced mix of design from flight proven IRS/INSAT/Chandrayaan-1 bus. Modifications required for Mars mission are in the areas of Communication, Power, Propulsion systems (mainly related to Liquid Engine restart after nearly 10 months) and on-board autonomy. 390 litres capacity propellant ... Read More »
Following the successful re-firing of the main liquid engine of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) spacecraft for a minor trajectory change on Monday, Isro is planning to activate the colour camera payload and get the first images of the red planet by Wednesday afternoon. With Monday’s success, the possibility of MOM acquiring the desired orbit around Mars on Wednesday has ... Read More »
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Mars, get ready for another visitor or two. This weekend, NASA’s Maven spacecraft will reach the red planet following a 10-month journey spanning 442 million miles. If all goes well, the robotic explorer will hit the brakes and slip into Martian orbit Sunday night. “I’m all on pins and needles. This is a critical event,” NASA’s director ... Read More »
