Mars Orbiter Mission's life extended for another 6 months

Original duration was estimated at six months; the orbiter is still providing data

India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM’s) life is extended for another six months.

MOM’s original life span, estimated to be six months, ended Tuesday. The interplanetary mission was the first successful one carried out by any space research organisation in the world, including NASA, in its first attempt to Mars.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro’s) spokesperson Deviprasad Karnik said “We did not waste fuel which helped to extend the life of MOM by another six months.”

He added, onboard payloads are on and data is coming.

So far, MOM has sent over 300 pictures, including full-disk images of Mars (few such images were available from other satellites that are placed in the Mars orbit), said Karnik.

Isro’s Mars orbiter programme team has won the 2015 Space Pioneer Award in the science and engineering category from the US-based National Space Society (NSS).

MOM was inserted into the Mars orbit on September 24 last year.

One of the life-limiting parameters of a spacecraft, under nominal orbital conditions, is the availability of propellant to maintain its orbit and orientation. In case of MOM, a reserve of 37 kg of propellant is available in the satellite.

The increased duration of observation of Mars by five scientific payloads will enhance the planetary science data. It would also enable coverage of Mars in different seasons.

MOM is the most economical interplanetary mission in the world and paved way for cost-effective access to deep space. The launch vehicle, spacecraft and ground segment have been realised with a budget of Rs 450 crore.