A scientist on condition of anonymity said global interest and excitement following NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) landing on Mars on August 6 could prompt the Indian government to clear the programme.

Government nod for Mars mission soon

     MYSORE: Isro chairman K Radhakrishnan on Saturday said the government's nod to the country's Mars mission is expected soon.



      "India's much-awaited mission to Mars is in the final stage of approval," said Radhakrishnan. The mission will be launched from Sriharikota in Andhra either in November 2013, 2016 or 2018.

       "Many studies have been done relating to this mission,'' said Radhakrishnan.

       A scientist on condition of anonymity said global interest and excitement following NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) landing on Mars on August 6 could prompt the Indian government to clear the programme. "We're waiting to go to Mars," said a scientist.

     Initially, nine scientific experiments were designed for this flight. This could be reduced considering the weight factor. The rocket will be an advanced version of the highly-proven four-stage Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, designated as PSLV-XL, used for India's mission to moon, Chandrayaan-1.

    Radhakrishnan said India's first dedicated astronomy satellite, Astrosat, will be launched in 2013. "All the instruments are going through their final evaluation and it'll be a national laboratory available to scientists both in India and abroad," he said. The mission was delayed for various reasons. About the Geo Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark 2, he said the flight stage of the cryogenic engine should be ready in November 2012. 
                                                                        Courtesy-times of India