Indian media reported on Saturday that the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) launch authorization board has cleared the launch of India’s maiden mission to Mars Mangalyaan on Tuesday November 5 from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh state.
ISRO spokesperson said that the 56 hour countdown for take-off will start early morning on Sunday and ISRO will ignite its giant 45-meter rocket on Tuesday, launching India’s maiden journey to Mars.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket and satellite are fully dressed up and ready at India’s space port in Sriharikota.
The two ships SCI Yamuna and Nalanda which were delayed due to bad weather have reached their destination in the Pacific. These ships will monitor the health of the rocket and satellite. The launch of Mangalyaan satellite, which was scheduled for October 28 initially, was postponed due to bad weather in the Pacific Ocean.
The Mangalyaan mission will cost Indian Rs 450 crores and will study the Martian atmosphere.