Article Posted on : - Dec 21, 2009

ZIRAKPUR (PTI): Only 20 per cent of the 12,000-odd artificial objects, including satellites, is in operational stage in the space and the unwanted "debris" is causing a lot of problem in launching new ones, former ISRO director Suresh Naik said on Sunday.

There are around 12,000 satellites and other artificial objects in the space and out of which only 20 per cent is active. Satellites have a life of 15-20 years and then they get lost in the space, he said interacting with school students here.

"The others (artificial objects) along with some other unwanted materials make the space debris. This debris causes a lot of problem in the launching of new satellites."

About man's expected odyssey to the Mars he said, "Scientists are seeing Mars as an alternative habitat for humans. By 2035, the first human should be able to reach Mars".

Two years prior to sending human to the planet, robots would land there, the space scientist said.

On ISRO's moon mission Chandrayaan-II in 2013, he said the lunar craft would carry two rovers for further exploration of earth's natural satellite.

Naik said Chandrayaan-III is scheduled for launch in 2015.