ISRO Mars Mission, PSLV C25, October 22, 2013

[sanman]

ISRO is getting ready for a 2013 mission to Mars:

http://www.indianexpress.com/video/national/6/mission-to-mars-in-2013-isro/10969

http://news.in.msn.com/national/india-all-set-to-give-go-ahead-for-mars-mission-1

[sfjcody_]

Very unlikely that this will launch in 2013. I'm going to say 2016 at the earliest.

[manboy]

Very unlikely that this will launch in 2013. I'm going to say 2016 at the earliest.

I don't know why they're even claiming it would launch in 2013, hell the design isn't even finalized yet.

[baldusi]

Is 2013 even a launch window to Mars?

[Drkskywxlt]

2013 is a launch window.  MAVEN is launching next fall.

[Phillip Clark]

Maybe 2013 is when the next *phase* of the Indian Mars programme is started/launched?

[sanman]

It's only supposed to be a 25-kg probe. There may not be a whole lot to finalize or design into it.

[plutogno]

25 kg is the mass of the payload, not that of the whole probe!

[plutogno]

a few more details
http://www.asianscientist.com/topnews/isro-prl-scientists-discuss-mars-venus-plans-at-cospar-2012/
looks like the payload has been more than halved at 10.5 kg

[sanman]

Cabinet approval recieved:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-19110039

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2012/08/03/India-gives-go-ahead-to-Mars-mission/UPI-52351344039610/

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3723817.ece

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/cabinet-approves-mission-to-mars/articleshow/15343494.cms

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indias-space-mission-to-send-a-satellite-to-mars/1/211722.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-india-space-marsbre8720qs-20120803,0,317295.story

[sanman]

ISRO interested in Mars methane:

http://zeenews.india.com/news/space/india-aims-to-crack-methane-mystery-with-mars-mission_796271.html

[plutogno]

apparently there was some harsh debate on the Mars mission in India
http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2012/08/qualms-about-indias-plan-for-a-2.html
note also that the probe name should be Mangalyaan

[Star One]

Do any of their launch vehicles actually have the throw capacity to put a significant & useful payload into orbit around Mars, as that second link certainly makes it sound like this isn't the case?

[Dalhousie]

Do any of their launch vehicles actually have the throw capacity to put a significant & useful payload into orbit around Mars, as that second link certainly makes it sound like this isn't the case?

The PSLV can put 1.4 tonnes into a GTO and and the 1.3 tonne Chandrayaan 1 mission to the Moon.  It is quite relaiable and should be more than adequate.

[Star One]

Do any of their launch vehicles actually have the throw capacity to put a significant & useful payload into orbit around Mars, as that second link certainly makes it sound like this isn't the case?

The PSLV can put 1.4 tonnes into a GTO and and the 1.3 tonne Chandrayaan 1 mission to the Moon.  It is quite relaiable and should be more than adequate.

But wouldn't it be better to wait for the GSLV MK III?