Mission Mangal

On December 25, 2010, the GSLV-F06 rocket launch ends in failure, leaving the ISRO team disheartened. This setback serves as a catalyst for subsequent events that propel the narrative of overcoming challenges in the realm of space exploration.

Following the failed launch, Tara Shinde's small mistake leads Rakesh Dhawan to unfairly take the blame for the incident. As a result, he is reassigned to work on the Mars Orbiter Mission (MoM), facing skepticism from his colleagues who regard the project as impossible given its tight budget.

Ex-NASA director Rupert Desai is brought in to provide strategic guidance for the Mars mission. He suggests utilizing NASA's technology, but Rakesh firmly disagrees, promoting a self-reliant approach characterized by the 'Make in India' initiative.

At home, Tara Shinde faces challenges due to the lack of support from her husband, Sunil. Balancing family expectations with her ambitious career in ISRO becomes increasingly difficult for her as she navigates societal norms.

The team faces a major hurdle when they realize that the Mars Orbiter Mission cannot be launched using PSLV due to its 1,500 kg capacity. This limitation magnifies the issues stemming from the recent failures of the GSLV, placing further pressure on the mission's success.

While engaged in domestic activities, Tara devises an innovative plan to utilize PSLV to execute the mission. Her enthusiasm convinces Rakesh to explore this idea further, though they initially face skepticism from their team.

Rakesh's determination leads him to secure the support of the ISRO director, compelling Rupert to assemble a new team. However, the group consists mostly of inexperienced recruits, posing additional challenges to an already daunting mission.

Among the new recruits are specialists with unique backgrounds and challenges. Eka Gandhi, who dreams of joining NASA, navigates her disdain for Indian projects, while Neha Siddiqui and Krittika Agarwal face personal struggles related to societal expectations.

The announcement of India's second Moon mission, Chandrayaan-2, leads to unexpected budget cuts of 50% for the Mars mission. With only 400 Crores left, the team must quickly adapt to the new financial realities while striving to achieve their ambitious goals.

Faced with a tight schedule and limited funds, Rakesh and Tara make crucial compromises. They successfully innovate by reducing the satellite's weight with a plastic aluminum composite, which allows them to carry more fuel for the journey.

In a bold move to save costs, Tara suggests utilizing equipment from the delayed Chandrayaan-2 project. This strategic decision further increases the mission's feasibility as the team begins to optimize their resources dramatically.

After months of hard work and collaboration, the Mangalyaan satellite is launched successfully on November 5, 2013. This historic launch represents not only a personal victory for the team but also a significant milestone for India's space exploration efforts.

Following its launch, Mangalyaan embarks on an impressive 298-day journey towards Mars. This phase of the mission signifies the culmination of the team's efforts and their innovative spirit as they navigate the challenges of interplanetary travel.

On September 24, 2014, Mangalyaan successfully enters Mars' orbit, making India the fourth nation to achieve this milestone. The event is historic, especially since it marks the first successful attempt by a nation to reach Mars, solidifying India's position in space exploration.

The successful entry of Mangalyaan into Mars' orbit is not just a scientific achievement; it embodies the spirit of perseverance. Despite numerous challenges and setbacks, the mission stands as a testament to innovation, teamwork, and determination.