Mangalyaan’s Rendezvous With Mars

ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), informally called Mangalyaan, is all set to enter the orbit of Mars on September 24.

The Kerala State Science and Technology Museum (KSSTM) is planning various programmes on September 23 and 24 to mark the event. It has collaborated with Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, and the Rajya Sabha TV to telecast special programmes.

“KSSTM is one of six centres which are part of this programme. Live telecasts of various events that we are planning and comments by experts and also the public will be aired from 10.30 am on September 23 to 4 pm on September 24 from the campus,’’ said KSSTM Director Arul Jerald Prakash.

The Mangalyaan will enter the orbit of Mars shortly after 7 am on September 24, however, it will be difficult to spot the planet in the morning sky.

ISRO had earlier said that the MOM spacecraft was in the “pink of health,” and was sending crucial information from a distance of 211 million km after having covered 95% of its journey.

Here is a timeline of the Mars mission:
· November 5, 2013: MOM launched aboard PSLV-C 25 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
· December 4, 2013: Exits Earth’s sphere of influence.
· February 11, 2014: Completes 100 days.
· April 9: Covered 50% of its journey
· September 24: Set to enter the orbit of Mars

Stay tuned for more!