First trajectory correction manouevre of Mangalyaan successful: ISRO

Bangalore – Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists on Wednesday said that the first trajectory correction manoeuvre of the maiden interplanetary mission to Mars had been carried out successfully.

ISRO scientists said that the manoeuvre was effected at 6.30 a.m. this morning.

They said that Mangalyaan is currently travelling some 29 lakh kilomters away from Earth.

The correction was done to fine tune the trajectory path of the spacecraft to keep it travelling in the intended track towards Mars, they added.

The spacecraft had moved out of the Earth’s orbit on December 1.

ISRO has planned four trajectory correction manoeuvres for Mangalyaan on its journey to Mars. The manoeuvres are needed to keep the spacecraft on the required path. It is also essential for maintaining the required velocity.

Mangalyaan is on a 680-million-kilometer voyage to Mars.

It was launched on November 5. The spacecraft is expected to reach the Mars orbit by September 24, 2014.