Isro Prepares To Test Fire Orbiter For Sep 24 Rendezvous With Mars

[Spartan]

Less than three weeks before India's first date with Mars, Isro' s spacecraft authorization committee will meet on Thursday to plan a crucial test—firing of the Mars orbiter's main engine before its rendezvous with the red planet on September 24.

If Isro gets it right, India will be the first to succeed in a Mars mission on the first attempt. The US, Russia and the European Space Agency succeeded only after repeated attempts.

The 440N liquid engine of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MoM) had last fired on December 1 for the trans—Mars injection when mission control slingshot the spacecraft from an Earth orbit to the Martian trajectory. About 300 days later, the engine will have to fire again for a reverse effect — to slow down the spacecraft so it is captured into the Martian orbit.

There is some uncertainty over a couple of valves and parts malfunctioning because of the corrosive fuel. After firing for the trans—Mars Injection, the primary fuel channel has been disabled to prevent leaks. The planned test—firing will be carried out using a secondary channel which will remain open for the actual firing on September 24 to remain in the Martian orbit. The test is not without handicaps. Since the spacecraft is moving at a speed of more than 22km per second, test—firing for a mere five seconds can take it away from the trajectory by more than 100km. This deviation will have to be factored in while carrying out the final orbit—capture manoeuvre around Mars.

[Spartan]

[k2s]

k

[ramu]

Cool

[ravula]

all the best ISRO team

[saami]

enit chittinaidu mars gurunchi vesada?