ISRO Has Mars In Sight For 2013, Project Gets Funds To Go Forth

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has laid its eye on Mars this time. After its successful journey to the moon, ISRO officials hope to start this project in 2013. Similar to Chandrayaan-1, this one will also be an unmanned spacecraft. Unlike NASA’s Curiosity rover landing on Mars, this project will study its geology while orbiting the planet. According to the news service AFP, an estimated 70 to 90 million dollars (approx. 4 to 5 billion rupees) will be spent on this project. The Government of India for the time being has allocated funds of 22.4 million dollars (1.25 billion rupees) to this project. ISRO’s director Deviprasad Karnik has informed the press that the work on this Mars mission will start as soon as the Department of Science gives the permission to go through the project and prepares a schedule for next year.

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Once the construction is complete the spacecraft will take flight on the 320-ton Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. ISRO has also planned to conduct its first manned mission to the moon in the year 2016.

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