Indian Scientists Who Made Mars Orbiter Mission Possible

Chennai: India's first mission to Mars blasted off successfully, completing the first stage of an 11-month journey that could see New Delhi's low-cost space programme win Asia's race to the Red Planet. The following are the Indian scientists who have made the Mars Orbiter Mission possible:

1. K Radhakrishnan (64):

Chairman of Isro, Secretary in Department of space.

With Isro since 1972.

Responsible for overall activities of ISRO.

2. S Ramakrishnan (64):

Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Member Launch Authorisation Board.

With ISRO since 1972.

Responsible for realising the rocket (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) that would ferry the Mars orbiter.

Challenge: The launch window is only five minutes. The 28 minutes coasting time of the rocket before the ignition of the fourth engine is also long. The overall launch duration of around 45 minutes is nearly double that of the normal PSLV launches.

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