Mumbai :
“10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-0. All systems are a go, real time systems activated and on board computers are in flight mode,” an official announced in anticipation at Isro’s Sriharikota centre on Thursday. An air of nervousness pervaded the team as it prepared to “launch” Indian space research’s most ambitious project – the Mars mission.
There was just one difference. Thursday was just a dress rehearsal. India’s first mission to the Red Planet designated the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mom) is scheduled for launch at 2.38pm on November 5.
On Thursday the mission executives were glued to their monitors in all earnestness in Sriharikota’s hi-tech control room. The atmosphere was a mix of apprehension and excitement.
Thursday’s dry run simulated the entire command sequence of the countdown. It demonstrated the mission readiness, according an Isro spokesperson.
Speaking to TOI, he said that except for fuel filling all the activities 8-10 hours prior to the lift-off of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL were simulated without a hitch. The ‘rehearsal’s’ most important aspect was the retraction of the mobile service tower and bringing it back – carried out flawlessly.
“During the 8.5-hour rehearsal which began at 6.08am various checks were carried out including the range and all was a go, including the weather,” the spokesperson said. The vehicle’s systems were powered and its health is normal.
“On Friday, the launch authorization board will meet to take the final call to initiate the final 56.5-half countdown that will start at 6am on Sunday,” the official said.
To involve the public, a countdown clock has been included on the Mom’s Facebook page.
Principal investigator of Nasa’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (Maven) mission Bruce Jakosky has been quoted in Universe Today, a web journal, saying, “Nasa’s Maven and India’s Mom will work together to help solve the mysteries of Mars’ atmosphere.”
Maven is slated for launch on November 18 and both MOM and Maven are expected to arrive at the Red Planet at the same time in September 2014.
Scientists and engineers of Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory have sent good wishes to Isro for Mom’s successful launch on November 5.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Science> Red Planet / by Srinivas Laxman / TNN / November 01st, 2013