ISRO To Face A Tough Time In Communicating With MOM For A Fortnight In June

Starting June 8, space scientists at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will face a tough time for 15 days in order to communicate with Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). Well, Mangalyaan isn’t going on a winter break; rather the Sun will act as a barrier between the Earth and Mars, former ISRO chief Dr K Radhakrishnan told TOI at the Indian Science Congress, in Mumbai.

During the blackout phase the Mars orbiter will be "in an autonomous mode," Dr Radhakrishnan added. He also asserted, "If we could regain control over the craft after that period, it would be one more major achievement."

Since November 2013, the month when the orbiter was launched by ISRO from Sriharikota, this will be longest break in communication with MOM, as per a report by Times of India.

In May 2016, the Earth would come between Mars and Sun and this would lead to another loss of communications for about a fortnight, the leading daily also quoted Subbiah Arunan, Mangalyaan project director, as saying.

India's mission Mars had scripted history on September 24, 2014, when it successfully entered the Martian orbit in its maiden attempt. The "supersmart spacecraft" has been named among the 25 'Best Inventions of 2014' listed by Time magazine.

On January 2, the much-talked about ISRO orbiter had successfully completed 100 days around the Red planet.
(Image: Wikipedia)