The United States’ National Space Society has conferred Space Pioneer Award for ISRO’s low-cost Mars mission, which is in rendezvous with the Red Planet. The award was presented in the Science and Engineering category during the 34th Annual International Space Development Conference held at Toronto in Canada. The National Space Society (NSS) has presented the award in recognition of ISRO’s efforts in accomplishing Mars Mission in its very first attempt.

The Space Pioneer Award consists of a silvery pewter Moon globe cast by the Baker Art Foundry in Placerville, California, from a sculpture originally created by Don Davis.

Tidbits

• India on September 24, 2014 successfully placed its Mars spacecraft in orbit around the red planet. The total cost of the mission was approximately ₹450 Crore.
• The spacecraft’s life was extended for another six months in March due to surplus fuel.
• ISRO has become the fourth space agency to reach Mars, after the Soviet space program, NASA, and the European Space Agency.
• India is the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit, and the first nation in the world to do so in its first attempt.

GK Questions

• Who is the present Chairman of ISRO? AS Kiran Kumar
• What is the name of India’s first lunar probe and when was it launched? Chandrayaan-1. It was launched in October 2008, and operated until August 2009.