By Abhinav School

5 th November 2013 was a day when India took its first step to Mars by launching a satellite on PSLV-C25 rocket from Shatish Dhawan Space Centre, Shriharikota. Its name was Mars Orbiter Mission or Mangalyaan. This mission was carried out by ISRO. It was India’s first interplanetary mission. After the failure of China in its mission to the Red planet, India had a golden chance to move ahead. At the same time NASA had also launched Maven to Mars. Its budget was thrice of Mangalyaan. Mangalyaan’s size was as much as an autorickshaw and its weight was as much as three autorickshaws. Budget for the mission was 71 million $. ISRO didn’t have a powerful rocket which would send it straight towards Mars. So, it was decided that it will complete six rounds around the Earth and after completing every round the velocity of it will be increased. Finally, it reached at calculated velocity after completing seven rounds and was set off to Mars on 24 September 2014. It was tracked by scientists working in the space centre of Bangalore. At last, after the journey of six months which started on 5 November 2013 it reached near its destination. The last lap of the race had begun. Now, its engine had to fire in the opposite direction to decrease its velocity. It could be compared with Kumbhakarna in Ramayana who slept for six months and when time came to wake up, ready for the war. Everyone’s eye was on Mangalyaan. Scientists in Bangalore were hoping for success. Finally, it completed its mission successfully and started rotating around Mars. From that day, it is sending pictures of Mars till date. It is not only the satellite but also an inspiration for the children of India.

Pratik Jitendra Patil
VIII F