The 24 of September 2014 is a memorable day for all Indians, because that day India became the first country to successfully get a spacecraft into the Mars orbit on the first attempt. Early in the morning the Indian Space Research Organization's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) spacecraft started orbiting the red planet.
MOM departed from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on the 5 November 2013, so the scientists had waited for more than 300 days while MOM journeyed on through space.
The last 54 minutes were virtually unbearable. It was during this period the orbiter first reoriented itself and then fired its engine and thrusters for about 24 minutes to get into the Mars orbit. Now it will work there for the next 6 months and try to solve so far unsolved mysteries.
When the 1350 kg spacecraft has been fixed into the planet's circumference, MOM's actual mission will begin.It will study the planet's surface and minerals and search for the presence of methane in the atmosphere . It will help the scientifics to understand the possibilities of living life on Mars.
Low cost
I think it is amazing that the success could be possible at a very low cost. Space travels are always discussed and questioned, because they are so expensive and high-profile.
The Indian cost is 70 million dollars, only a few cents on each Indian. The US spacecraft that is also orbiting Mars cost at least ten times as much. The Indian mission is actually cheaper than any other mission.
First images
The special spacecraft tools are developed in India and run by electricity generated from solar panels. MUM has now started its work and has sent the first spectacular images today.
Rituka Rimza
Technical Writer Trainee
kalmstrom.com Business Solutions
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