The Indian Space Research Organisation's Mangalyaan mission on Wednesday entered the orbit of Mars, sending the country into paroxysms of excitement at the achievement.
The orbiter took off from its launch pad in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh last November 5. Ten months and 666 million kilometres later, Mangalyaan will now study the Martian atmosphere. It will, in particular, scan the planet's surface for methane, which could indicate life on Mars. After completing its mission, the spacecraft will be manoeuvred away.
Here's a documentary by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting about the Mars Orbiter Mission.
The orbiter took off from its launch pad in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh last November 5. Ten months and 666 million kilometres later, Mangalyaan will now study the Martian atmosphere. It will, in particular, scan the planet's surface for methane, which could indicate life on Mars. After completing its mission, the spacecraft will be manoeuvred away.
Here's a documentary by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting about the Mars Orbiter Mission.
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