World News

India launches first spacecraft to Mars

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India on Nov. 5 launched a spacecraft bound for Mars, a mission it hopes will demonstrate its space technologies.

The 1,350-kg Mangalyaan orbiter was headed first into an elliptical orbit around Earth, after which a series of technical maneuvers and short burns will raise its orbit before it slingshots toward Mars.

The chairman of the Indian space agency, K. Radhakrishnan, said the biggest challenge was navigation. "We will know if we pass our examination on Sept. 24, 2014." (AP)

インド、初の火星探査機を打ち上げ

インドで初めてとなる火星探査機が11月５日、打ち上げられた。火星に到達すれば、同国の宇宙開発の分野での技術力を世界に示すことになる。

The Japan Times ST: November 15, 2013