India has broken through to a new level in its space program. This week, the country successfully put a satellite into orbit around Mars. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.
It took almost a year for the Indian satellite to reach orbit around Mars. Only the Americans, the Russians and the Europeans have previously reached the red planet. In fact, earlier this week, the latest U.S. satellite, called “Maven,” also made it into a Mars orbit.
One big difference between the two missions: cost. The Indian Space Research Organization put the expense of its orbiting satellite at $74 million. That’s about 11% of what NASA spent on its Maven craft, although scientists point out the U.S. satellite is much bigger and carries more scientific equipment.
The Indian satellite made it to a successful orbit on its first attempt, which is unusual when it comes to missions to Mars. China and Japan have both failed in previous attempts to reach the planet. And it took the United States and Russia more than one launch to make it.
The Indian satellite will study the surface of Mars, but the vehicle won’t land on the planet. Its scientific lifespan is expected to be about six months, before it runs out of fuel. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increased spending on his country’s space program, boosting the budget by about 50%.
