Mangalyaan, India's maiden satellite to Mars

Here are the first images of India's small satellite Mangalyaan or 'Mars craft'.

Photo courtesy: Pallava Bagla

The Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO plans to launch a Nano car-sized unmanned satellite that will orbit Mars and study the planet's thin atmosphere.

Photo courtesy: Pallava Bagla

It will take a year for the satellite to reach Mars, after which it is expected to orbit around the planet for at least six months. It will take a year for the satellite to reach Mars, after which it is expected to orbit around the planet for at least six months.

Photo courtesy: Pallava Bagla

The satellite, named Mangalyaan, will carry five scientific instruments which will hunt the Mars atmosphere for traces of water and Methane which could indicate if life exists there.

While seeking clearance from the government for its Mission to Mars, ISRO had said that it hopes to look at 'whether Mars has a biosphere or even an environment in which life could have evolved'.

If all goes well with the launch and the very risky and arduous, millions of kilometres long journey, India may rendezvous with the red planet. The mission will cost in the range of 600 crores.