Preparations on for launch of Mars Orbiter Mission

CHENNAI: Preparations are afoot in Sriharikota for the launch of Mars Orbiter Mission Mangalyaan on PSLV C25, ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said.

"The exact date and time of the launch will be decided in a meeting today. So by tomorrow, we will get to know the exact time and date of the launch," he told reporters here.

On the launch of the GSLV D5, which was called off on August 19 after detection of a fuel leak, he said, "We are working on the GSLV for its launch in December."

ISRO had stopped the countdown 74 minutes ahead of the scheduled launch at 1650 hours after noticing the leakage.

Once launched, Mars Orbiter Mission would go around the Earth for 20-25 days before embarking on a nine month voyage to the red planet.

The primary objectives of the Mars mission are to demonstrate India's technological capability to send a satellite to orbit around the planet and conduct meaningful experiments such as looking for signs of life, take pictures of Mars and study the Martian environment.