Mars Orbiter Mission: ISRO to test fire engine on September 22

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for a test fire of liquid apogee motor (LAM) inside Mangalyaan, also known as Mars Orbiter Mission, on September 22, about 48 hours ahead of spacecraft's insertion into Mars orbit.

Earlier, ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan confirmed that test fire of the 440N liquid apogee motor (LAM) , which was on board the spacecraft, would be conducted on September 22, adding that there were different groups working on it.

According to sources, the 40N liquid apogee motor (LAM) will be test-fired for five seconds to determine whether the connections were competent.

The spacecraft is expected to make its entry into Martian atmosphere on September 24 at around 7:30am.

India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) was launched into orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh by ISRO using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket C25 on 5 November, 2013.

Mangalyaan, which travels at a velocity of 22 km/sec, is now less than 6 million kms away from Mars.