^^ from the asian scientist article linked above, the instrumentation payload is 25kg, this looks to be too tiny. It maybe better to wait for GSLV to carry a more meaningfull instrumentation package, even if it means slipping to 2016 launch window.
Depends what the payload is intended to do.
The challenge for any Mars orbiter proposal these days is to do something new, so many aspects have been already covered. Improved gravity or magnetic data, a lidar with better resolution, radiation measurments, perhaps. All these measurments would be useful and some would probably fit inside the 25 kg limit.
^^ from the asian scientist article linked above, the instrumentation payload is 25kg, this looks to be too tiny. It maybe better to wait for GSLV to carry a more meaningfull instrumentation package, even if it means slipping to 2016 launch window.
Well, it's unlikely that the Mark-III will be ready for 2013, as its first flight test will be happening around that time, sans Cryogenic Upper Stage.
The Viking landers were launched using a Titan+Centaur combination, I believe, and I don't know how favorably the Mark-III with CUS compares to that.
^^ from the asian scientist article linked above, the instrumentation payload is 25kg, this looks to be too tiny. It maybe better to wait for GSLV to carry a more meaningfull instrumentation package, even if it means slipping to 2016 launch window.
Well, it's unlikely that the Mark-III will be ready for 2013, as its first flight test will be happening around that time, sans Cryogenic Upper Stage.
The Viking landers were launched using a Titan+Centaur combination, I believe, and I don't know how favorably the Mark-III with CUS compares to that.
Even GSLV Mk I / II would significantly improve the throw weight to Mars orbit. This is an orbiter mission, it should not be compared with Viking which was a lander mission.
Even GSLV Mk I / II would significantly improve the throw weight to Mars orbit. This is an orbiter mission, it should not be compared with Viking which was a lander mission.
You make a good point. GSLV Mark-II would significantly improve the payload weight to Mars. Yes, I know the mission is only for an orbiter vs the landers sent for Viking. My point was that India could have tried for a lander mission if they delayed the launch date. Oh well, maybe that can be done on a following Mars mission.
http://kuku.sawf.org/Articles/68485.aspxhttp://english.ruvr.ru/2012_03_29/70024799/