ISRO's Diwali bonanza to India: Mars project to be launched on Nov 5

New Delhi, Oct 22: Finally the dates for

's project are out. India's maiden mission to

will be launched on November 5 from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, the Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO said.

The launch window will remain open till November 19.

NDTV reported that the launch of Mangalyaan satellite, which was scheduled for October 28 initially, was postponed due to bad weather in the Pacific Ocean.

The two ships SCI Yamuna and Nalanda, which were delayed due to bad weather, have now reached their destination in the Pacific. The Indian ships will monitor the health of the rocket and satellite as it sails over the ocean after being launched from India.

If the weather permits, two days after Diwali, ISRO will ignite its giant 45-meter rocket, launching India's maiden journey to Mars.

The launch window will remain open till November 19.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket and satellite are fully dressed up and ready at India's space port in Sriharikota. It is of critical importance that the Mangalyaan begins its over 200 million kilometre journey on its trans-Martian orbit latest by November 30- any further delay could prove disastrous for the mission.

This will be the first ever launch that ISRO will conduct in November at India's space port, which is usually dogged by recurring cyclones at this time of the year.

The Magalyaan mission will cost Rs. 450 crores and will study the Martian atmosphere.

With PTI inputs

OneIndia News