September 24th, 2014. 2014年9月24日
A calm morning in Bengaluru 班加罗尔的早晨平静如常
belies the fact 掩盖了
this is the moment of truth 背后的紧张刺激
for one of India's most daring missions. 印度最冒险的任务
Its first interplanetary journey to Mars. 第一次赶往火星的星际任务
In the Mission Control Room, Prime Minister Narendra Modi 在任务控制室里，印度总理Narendra Modi
is intently watching history unfold before his eyes. 正在全神贯注地守望着历史的时刻
India's Space Research Organisation's top bosses 印度的空间研究组织的高层领导
K. Radhakrishnan and A. S. Kiran Kumar K. Radhakrishnan和A. S. Kiran Kumar
calmly monitor the progress of the mission. 冷静地监视任务的进展
For the automatic operation of the Mars Orbiter Mission. 说到自主完成火星轨道器任务
Nobody believed that India actually would be able 没有人认为印度有足够能力
to do this mission. 能够成功完成
Or, that it could soon become the first country in the world 也许很快就会变成世界上第一个国家
to reach the elusive Red Planet 到达神秘的红色星球
in its very first attempt. 第一次尝试就成功
But what makes this nail-biting moment 但是什么使这个紧张的时刻
even more dramatic 更有戏剧性
is the fact that during the crucial period of insertion 事实上在入轨的关键时期
into the Martian orbit 到达火星的时候
the spacecraft Mangalyaan will move behind Mars 火星探测器“曼加里安”正好在火星背面
out of line of sight with Earth 在地球的可视范围之外
cutting off all communication with the mission team. 断绝了与任务组的一切通信联系
The tension in the Mission Control Room 任务控制室的紧张气氛
is palpable. 相当明显
300 days 300天
over 650 million kilometres 超过6.5亿千米的距离
and it all comes down to this. 到了决定性的时刻
Will India's Mars orbiter, or Mangalyaan 印度的火星环绕器，或者“曼加里安”号
successfully enter the Martian orbit? 能成功入轨吗？
Bengaluru, in southern India 在印度南部的班加罗尔
a hotbed for science and innovation. 是科技创新的温床
India's Silicon Valley. 印度的硅谷
It is also India's space city 也是印度的空间科技之城
with many of India's space centres located here. 印度的很多空间机构位于这里
India's adventure to Mars began in 2012 印度的火星任务自2012年开始
when Indian space scientists put forward 印度的空间科学家提出
an ambitious plan to send an orbiter to Mars. 雄心勃勃的计划，把一个轨道探测器送到火星
This would be India's first interplanetary journey. 印度的第一次星际任务
And if successful 如果能成功
it would be the 4th space agency in the world 就将是第四个机构
and the first Asian country to reach Mars. 也是亚洲第一个到达火星的
I see a 21st Century Asian space race 我看到了21世纪亚洲太空竞赛
happening between India and China on many fronts. 印度和中国之间在空间领域
And India got an opportunity 印度有了机会
to go ahead of China 领先中国
at least in reaching Mars 更早到达火星
when in 2011, the Chinese mission failed. 2011年的中国火星任务失败了
So, there was a small window 正好有一个短暂的窗口期
in which India could race ahead. 印度可以超过中国
So, in 2013, India put their plan into action 所以，2013年印度开始实施计划
to send an orbiter to Mars. 发射火星轨道探测器
ISRO scientists chose the PSLV ISRO的科学家选用PSLV运载火箭
as a launch vehicle 发射任务
as it is one of India's most reliable rockets. 因为它是印度最可靠的火箭
The PSLV-C25 stands at a height PSLV-C25竖立起来
of a 15-storey building 有15层楼那么高
but even with this magnificent size 但就是这么大的火箭
it was not powerful enough to send Mangalyaan 也不够把“曼加里安”一次送上
directly on a path to Mars. 去火星的转移轨道
What they really needed was a powerful rocket 他们需要的是一款强大的火箭
that would throw the spacecraft 能够把探测器推出
out of Earth's sphere of influence 地球的引力影响范围之外
and directly on a path towards Mars. 直接去火星转移轨道
That more powerful rocket was the GSLV. 更强大的火箭是GSLV运载火箭
The only catch was, in India 但关键的是，在印度
it was still under development and being tested. GSLV仍然需要调整和验证
But scientists couldn't afford to delay this mission. 但是科学家们可不想推迟火星任务
V. Adimurthy, who evaluated India's ability V. Adimurthy，分析了印度面对的情况
to journey to Mars, explains why. 解释了为什么不能推迟
This is a model of Earth, Mars and the Sun. 这是一个模型，地球、火星和太阳
And as you know 你知道
the planets are moving around the Sun 行星都围绕着太阳转
in different speeds. 速度不同
And complex calculations have shown 通过烧脑的计算已经得出
that for us to go from Earth to Mars 从地球到火星的转移轨道
a rendezvous date can be 24th September, 2014. 与火星的会合日期在2014年9月24日
And if we missed this date 如果我们错过了这个日期
the next opportunity will come 26 months later. 下一次发射窗口在26个月之后
We decided that we plunge in for this date 我们决定在时间节点之前冲刺完成
and go for the rendezvous with Mars 去与火星会合
on 24th September, 2014. 就在2014年9月24日
This meant that 这意味着
Mangalyaan has to start from Earth's Orbit “曼加里安”要从地球轨道
on a precise date 在准确的日期出发
and go towards its journey towards Mars 踏上去火星的旅途
and reach Mars Orbit 到达火星轨道
on 24th September, 2014. 2014年9月24日
Mars will be there for the rendezvous at that time 那时火星正好在合适的位置
when Mangalyaan reaches there. 与“曼加里安”在那里会合
If we start too early 如果我们出发得太早
then Mangalyaan will be ahead of Mars “曼加里安”就会超过火星
and if we start too late 如果我们出发得太晚
Mangalyaan will be behind Mars “曼加里安”就会落后于火星
and both would be failed fly-by missions. 任务都会失败，变成飞掠火星
Mangalyaan had to be launched within this crucial window. “曼加里安”必须在这个关键的时间发射
And so it was back to the PSLV 所以只能回到PSLV火箭
and the ISRO scientists who had to come up ISRO科学家们必须提出
with an innovative flight plan. 创造性的空间轨道设计
If we are able to have 如果我们能有
a novel mission design 新颖的任务设计
India could put a spacecraft 印度就能发射探测器
with our own PSLV. 用我们自己的PSLV火箭
And we decided that this is going to be 我们决定实施这项
a technology mission to prove India's capability 技术验证任务，证明印度的能力
to orbit a spacecraft around Mars. 发射星际探测器到达火星
The plan presented was a daring one. 提出的计划相当冒险
Something that India had never attempted before. 印度以前从来没有尝试过
They would build a Mars orbiter 他们将建造一个火星轨道器
one of the fastest and most intelligent spacecrafts 最快的、最智能的航天器
India has ever made and load it onto the PSLV. 印度制造并装在PSLV火箭上
It would first be launched into Earth's orbit. 首先发射到地球轨道
Then they would get it to circle Earth 然后环绕地球
and gradually increase its velocity 逐步提高速度
and raise its orbit levels till it's fast enough 提高轨道高度，直到足够快
to escape Earth's sphere of influence. 摆脱地球的引力影响
It would then be set on a path towards Mars 并进入火星转移轨道
covering over 650 million kilometres 飞奔6.5亿千米之遥
in about 300 days. 大约300天
Mangalyaan will hurtle through space “曼加里安”飞过无垠的空间
at speeds over 20 kilometres per second. 超过20千米/秒的速度
On Earth, travelling at that speed 在地球上，这个速度
would get you from New Delhi to New York 从新德里到纽约
in about 9 minutes. 只需要9分钟
That's how fast Mangalyaan will travel “曼加里安”就跑得这么快
towards Mars. 从地球到火星
It will then enter Mars orbit 它将进入火星轨道
at a point about 500 kilometres nearest to the surface 近火点有500千米远
of the Red Planet. 距离火星表面
Once green-lit, the Mars Orbiter Mission 一旦计划开始，火星环绕任务
had centres across India working around the clock 在印度各地都有任务团队日以继夜
to pull off this challenging interplanetary journey. 努力完成这项星际任务的挑战
ISRO centres in Bengaluru designed, 班加罗尔的ISRO任务中心设计、
built and tested Mangalyaan. 制造、验证了“曼加里安”号
Ahmedabad engineered its camera and scientific instruments. 艾哈迈达巴德设计了它的相机以及科学仪器
Sriharikota would be its launch centre. 斯里赫里戈达岛是航天发射中心
The deep space antenna in Byalalu 拜阿拉鲁的深空天线
would track communication. 将跟踪信号
And the Mission Control Room back in Bengaluru 回到班加罗尔的任务控制室
would monitor and navigate it. 会进行监视和导航
Mangalyaan's dream team had veteran space scientists “曼加里安”梦之队有经验丰富的空间科学家
who had worked on many of India's satellite missions 曾参与完成印度的很多卫星任务
over three to four decades. 三、四十年的时间跨度
K. Radhakrishnan, Chairman, ISRO at the time of launch K. Radhakrishnan，ISRO 主席，在发射期间
is the man at the helm of India's mission to Mars. 掌控印度的整个火星任务
A.S.Kiran Kumar had to analyse A.S.Kiran Kumar 分析了
hundreds of worst-case scenarios. 数百种最坏的情况
His big concern was how fuel would be used. 最大的问题是如何有效利用燃料
M.Annadurai's experience M.Annadurai曾有经验
heading India's first Moon mission 领导印度的第一次月球任务
Chandrayaan-1, would help in designing 月船1号，有助于设计
an economical Mars mission. 一个经济的火星任务
S.Arunan's biggest challenge was to build an intelligent craft S.Arunan面临的最大挑战是制造出智能航天器
that was autonomous 全自动的
or one that could largely function on its own. 可以独立完成运作
The leading members of this team had worked 这个团队的领导成员具有
on the successful lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1 成功完成月船1号的经验
but this was their first interplanetary mission. 但这是他们第一次星际任务
Their scientific prowess would be tested at every turn. 他们的科学能力面临一次又一次考验
It is a one-way graduation for what we do all along 这就像面临一次又一次毕业考
to Chandrayaan. 从月船任务开始
And Chandrayaan to MOM, I can tell it's postgraduation. 环绕月球的月船任务，我说这件事让我们毕业了
It is like everything's a step ahead 就是所有掌握的经验都迈了一步
but everything that is learned previously 以前所掌握的知识
is taken to Chandrayaan. 达到了月船的层次
Chandrayaan to Mars, very well it has been taken there. 现在做“曼加里安”任务去火星，我们有了很好的基础
The 1335 kilograms Mars Orbiter Satellite 1335千克的火星环绕卫星
into an elliptic orbit. 环绕椭圆形的轨道
At the launch centre, it's action stations. 在发射中心，控制岗位，
Scientists have to monitor every aspect of this lift-off 科学家必须监控这次发射的方方面面
and constantly track Mangalyaan's 不断追踪“曼加里安”
over 300-day space journey. 300天的空间旅程
They need information at each stage 他们需要每个阶段的信号
and India could not do this alone. 不过印度不能独立完成
One of the major requirements 最主要的需求
for ISTRAC is to provide continuous Mars data 追踪和探测所需的是连续的数据
for control support. 用于任务支持
So, we established 32 antennae 所以，我们建立了32个天线
ground station support 地面测控站的支持
spread throughout the world. 遍布世界各地
During launch, ground stations in Sriharikota 发射期间，测控站位于斯里赫里戈达岛、
Port Blair, Brunei and Indonesia 布莱尔港、文莱、印尼等地
will track the rocket and will relay data 将跟踪火箭并传输数据
to the mission team. 给任务团队
But once the rocket is above the South Pacific Ocean 但是一旦火箭到达南太平洋的上空
ground stations would not be able to track it. 测控站就无法追踪它
The mission team couldn't afford to be without communication. 任务团队不能没有探测器的信号
After much deliberation, they came up with a solution. 经过深思熟虑，他们想出了解决办法
Two ships loaded with powerful antennae 两艘船安装强大的天线
would be stationed in the Pacific 提前安排到太平洋
and would send information of this part of the launch. 能够提供这一部分的信号
But the team faced its first setback. 但团队面临着一个难题
One of the ships couldn't reach its location on time 其中一艘船不能按时到达指定地点
due to bad weather. 因为天气恶劣
The preparations for the launch 发射准备
they were delayed due to the positioning 有些耽搁因为定位
of the shipborne terminals at the desired locations. 测量船不能及时到达预定地点
Due to weather problems, it got delayed. 因为天气原因，推迟了
This was not good news 这不是好消息
considering the short time window the mission team 考虑到短暂的任务发射窗口
had to launch Mangalyaan. 必须发射“曼加里安”
Bad weather had managed to derail the original launch plan 坏天气让最初的发射计划一拖再拖
and scientists were hit with a problem 科学家们又遇到一个难题
even before lift-off. 在发射之前
India's Mission to Mars team was up against a challenge. 印度的火星任务团队需要解决这问题
One of the two ships carrying powerful antennae 两艘携带天线的测量船之一
needed for tracking during the launch of Mangalyaan 用于追踪“曼加里安”的发射
was not able to reach its location 不能抵达预定地点
due to bad weather. 因为恶劣天气
The mission team had to realign all their calculations 任务小组必须重新调整他们所有的计算
and come up with a new launch date. 并提出新的发射日期
Earlier, October end, the launch was scheduled. 之前，发射计划在10月底
But due to the arrangements 但由于重新安排
required for the vehicle tracking 所需的信号追踪
with some shipborne terminals. 测量船的工作
So, all those arrangements got delayed. 所以所有的时间安排被推迟
And we could launch on November 5th. 我们可以在11月5日发射
Children in Sriharikota are probably used to seeing 斯里赫里戈达岛的孩子们习惯于看到
rockets flash through the sky. 火箭从天空穿过
But on this November afternoon 但是在11月的这个下午
the rocket about to lift off will create history 这次火箭发射将创造历史
as it will launch India's first interplanetary mission. 发射印度的第一次星际任务
Mangalyaan, India's orbiter to Mars. “曼加里安”，印度的火星环绕探测器
Launch date. The world is watching. 发射日，整个世界在关注
Nobody believed that India actually would be able 没有人相信印度真的能
to do this mission. 完成这个任务
So, even when we had announced the date of launch, etc. 所以，尽管我们已经公布过发射的时间
Still there was a question mark. Nobody was taking us seriously. 但还是存在一个问号，没有人认真对待我们
Only when the actual launch happened 只有真正发射以后
then they started looking at 他们才开始承认
"Okay. That means there is already" “好吧。现在已经有了”
"a satellite which has been integrated" 一颗卫星发射成功了
"put together. This is happening." 进入太空，这是真的
Scientists are counting down to blast off. 科学家们正在发射倒计时
10, 9, 8
7, 6, 5
4, 3, 2
1, 0, +1, 2..
Stations at Sriharikota, Port Blair 测控站位于斯里赫里戈达岛、布莱尔港
Brunei and Indonesia 文莱和印尼
send signal s confirming the success 传输确认成功的信号
of the first three launch phases. 前三个发射阶段
The rocket then cruises for 26 minutes 然后火箭巡航26分钟
over the South Pacific Ocean 在南太平洋上空
and none of the ground stations 所有的地面测控站
can get signals from it for 10 minutes. 10分钟内收不到信号
This is followed by the crucial 4th stage 下面是关键的第四阶段
when Mangalyaan separates from the launch vehicle “曼加里安”要和火箭发动机分离
and is thrown into orbit. 被送进地球轨道
Communication is crucial at this stage. 信号通信在这个阶段非常重要
This is where the 2 ships have a key role. 在这个阶段两艘测量船起到重要作用
The team is on edge waiting for the signal 这个队在紧张的状态中等待信号
that all is going as per plan. 一切都按计划进行
The first ship monitors the ignition 第一艘船监测点火情况
of the rocket engine. 火箭发动机的工作
A few minutes later, the second ship 几分钟之后，第二艘船
monitors craft separation. 监控探测器分离
Mangalyaan is finally sent “曼加里安”终于被送上
into an elliptical orbit around Earth. 环绕地球的椭圆轨道
Very, very accurate orbit we have achieved. 实现了非常非常精确的轨道
Jubilation breaks out in the Command Centre. 控制中心里欢腾起来了
Given the media interest in India's Mars mission 媒体开始关注印度的火星任务
the action in the Command Centre is aired live on television 控制中心的一举一动在电视上直播
and shared on social media 在社交媒体上传播
with a massive audience around the world. 在全世界吸引了大量观众
We were very clear, this is a complex mission. 我们很清楚，这是一项复杂的任务
And we needed to communicate this to the country. 我们需要传达给全国人民
So, we used social media. 所以，我们用社交媒体
The young generation in the country 全国的年轻一代人
discussed science on that. 在社交网络讨论科学
And today, almost 1 million likes we have. 今天，我们有差不多100万粉丝
Even as India celebrated a successful launch 就在印度庆祝成功发射的时候
of its Mars Orbiter 火星环绕探测器
the US launched its own Mars mission, MAVEN. 美国也发射了火星任务，MAVEN
And lift-off of the Atlas V with MAVEN. 用Atlas V 发射了MAVEN
Looking for clues about the evolution of Mars 寻找关于火星演化的线索
through its atmosphere. 去研究大气
They had a powerful launch vehicle 他们有强大的发射火箭
that put MAVEN on a direct path to Mars. 直接把MAVEN送上火星转移轨道
The stage was now set. 现在都安排上了
Everything's looking good. 事情看起来还不错
There was serious pressure on India to ensure success. 印度这边确保成功的压力很大
They could not afford to fail. 他们不能失败
Mangalyaan was built in a record 15 months “曼加里安”在创纪录的15个月里完成
on a shoestring budget of USD 74 million. 预算只有7400万美元
Compared to NASA's Mars Orbiter, MAVEN 相比NASA的火星环绕器MAVEN
USD 670 million. 6.7亿美元
Doing it at $70 million 7000万美元就完成
was really a huge, huge benefit 真是很大、很大的成绩
not just in saving money 不仅仅做到了省钱
but it paves the way for the world 也为世界铺开了一条路
to look at interplanetary missions 在星际任务中
which are less than $100 million in costs. 少于1亿美元的预算就敢大干快上
India's highly cost-effective spacecrafts 印度的高度经济实惠的航天器
like Mangalyaan are built in this high security facility “曼加里安”在很安全的设施里
in Bengaluru. 在班加罗尔完成
Scientists work in a specifically designed clean room. 科学家们在严格设计的洁净室工作
Dust is one of the biggest enemies 灰尘是最大的敌人之一
of deep space satellites like the Mars Orbiter. 对于像火星环绕器这样的卫星来说
Even a speck of dust could be catastrophic 即使是一点点灰尘可能是灾难性的
jamming systems. 干扰系统
Mangalyaan is a surprisingly small cuboid. “曼加里安”是一个小的长方体
A little smaller than an autorickshaw 比三轮蹦蹦小一点
and about three times its weight. 重量是蹦蹦的3倍
Systems on Mangalyaan are miniaturised and light. Mangalyaan上的系统 “曼加里安”上的仪器都是微型并且轻便的
You have to miniaturise because you are taking 你必须减重因为你要
the object farther and farther. 把它们送得那么遥远
Basically, it's miniaturisation 而且，小型化工程
to a very high level 水平很高
what has not been attempted so far. 以前还从没有尝试过
Mangalyaan's brain is a highly intelligent system “曼加里安”的大脑是一个高度智能化的系统
that will allow it to communicate with the mission team 能直接联系到控制团队
from millions of kilometres away and even function on its own. 在数千万千米甚至更远之外完全自主地工作
The solar panels will power its brain. 太阳能电池板为系统提供能量
But it also has a backup lithium-ion battery. 它也有备用的锂电池
Its high-powered antenna will point towards Earth 它的高增益天线对着地球
to be able to send and receive messages. 可以发射和收到信号
Star sensors and gyroscopes act as navigation aids 恒星敏感器和陀螺仪充当助航设备
to keep the orbiter on its precise path. 保持航天器沿着精确的轨道前进
Its five instruments will send back 它的五种仪器将发送回
scientific information about Mars. 有关火星的科学数据
Its engine is powered by liquid fuel. 火箭发动机使用液态燃料
It has to use this fuel very carefully. 必须非常谨慎地计划
There are no pit stops to refuel during its long 在它漫长的旅途中没有加油站
over 650 million-kilometre journey. 超过6.5亿公里的距离
This was one of the biggest concerns 这是最关键的事情之一
for the mission team. 对任务团队来说
After a successful launch 在成功的发射之后
Mangalyaan has been put “曼加里安”被送上
on an elliptical orbit around Earth. 环绕地球的椭圆轨道
Over the next 25 days, scientists will fire up 之后25天，科学家将安排点火
Mangalyaan's engine six times to raise the orbit “曼加里安”的发动机6次抬升轨道
and increase its velocity high enough 提高速度，直到足够快
so it can escape Earth's sphere of influence. 它就能逃脱地球引力的影响
In very simple terms, it's what we did to Mangalyaan. 简单来说，这就是我们要做的
Imagine the red ball is the Mangalyaan. 把红球当做“曼加里安”
And we flung it around Earth in bigger and faster loops 我们把它围绕地球，送到更高更快的轨道上
until it got sufficient velocity. 直到它有足够的速度
And when it got that velocity 到它有了足够速度的时候
we flung it towards Mars. 我们让它对准火星
The room for error at every stage is narrow 每个步骤都没有犯错的空间
as they cannot afford to waste fuel. 因为一点燃料也不能浪费
Mangalyaan has completed 3 orbit-raising operations “曼加里安”已经3次提升轨道
around Earth 环绕地球
each bigger than the previous one. 轨道圈子越来越大
And then scientist s hit another snag. 然后科学家又遇到一个障碍
The 4th time, the engine fired up 第4次，发动机点火之后
it underperformed and did not reach 它表现不佳，没有达到
the targeted velocity. 想要的速度
This means Mangalyaan would have to use 这样说“曼加里安”需要使用
extra fuel to make up for the shortfall. 额外的燃料以弥补不足
B.S.Kiran's expertise in mathematical modelling B.S.Kiran在数学建模中具有专业知识
lead him to establish a precise path 引导他计算一条精确的轨道
for Mangalyaan's Mars encounter. 让“曼加里安”与火星相遇
He was worried because snags like this 他很担心因为燃料方面的障碍
could affect Managalyaan's date with Mars. 会影响到“曼加里安”与火星相遇的日期
The main engine shut down 主发动机提前关闭了
due to some onboard logic. 因为一些机载程序的问题
So, after which we could not impart 所以，在那之后我们不能给出
the desired velocity increment in that manoeuver. 在那次点火时具体有多少速度增量
All our problems what we are talking about 我们在讨论的问题
for this entire mission comes primarily from the reason 整个任务最关键的就是
the amount of fuel we are carrying. 携带燃料的数量
If something goes wrong 如果有些时候不顺利
the amount of fuel that is left for correction and recovery 剩下的燃料不足以纠正和恢复轨道
would have prevented us from going to Mars. 我们就去不了火星了
After much deliberation 经过精细考量
the team decides on firing up the engine for one extra time 决定临时加一次发动机点火
to ensure Mangalyaan speeds up to the required velocity. 确保“曼加里安”加速达到所需速度
Space scientists are tense 空间科学家很紧张
but calmly oversee the protocol. 但要冷静地监控情况
So, at that time 所以，当时
we had many possible scenarios. 我们把所有都提前想到
We had worked out almost something like 我们考虑到很多
250 reasons why we could fail. 250种失败的可能
So, any of those failures, if they occur 所以，任何这些挫折，如果发生
is there a possibility for us to correct. 我们有没有对应的纠正办法
And correct with the fuel which is still sufficient for us 用燃料修正之后，还要剩下足够的
to do the rest of the travel and insert in Mars. 去飞越星际，降落在火星
Mangalyaan makes up for the shortfall “曼加里安”弥补了误差
in an additional engine burn. 增加一次额外的点火
And the correction is successful. 纠正措施成功了
Mangalyaan now has only a few days left 现在“曼加里安”只剩几天时间
before it leaves Earth's orbit. 离开地球轨道
And as a farewell message 像是告别信
it sends back its very first picture. 它发回所拍的第一张照片
A picture clicked using its cool Mars colour camera 使用很酷的火星彩色照相机拍照
built at the Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad. 在艾哈迈达巴德空间应用中心建造
This camera and other instruments designed 这个照相机以及其他仪器
at this centre are crucial to the mission 产自艾哈迈达巴德，对任务至关重要
as they will allow Mangalyaan “曼加里安”有能力
to study Mars' surface and atmosphere 研究火星的表面和大气
and send that information back home. 把数据和资料返回地球
And all this high-end engineering innovation 所有这些高端的工程创新
for space research is driven by local talent. 当地人才推动了空间研究的发展
We had to design the payloads 我们必须设计出载荷
such that it could fit into that budget of mass and power. 符合火星环绕器的重量和电力要求
That was extremely challenging. 这是非常具有挑战性的
And really go for very state-of-the-art 并真正追求最先进的
components and elements 部件和组成
so that we could make our instruments 以便我们制作仪器
lightweight and very low power. 轻便而且节能
Mangalyaan is now gearing up to bid goodbye to Earth “曼加里安”现在正在准备向地球告别
and make its way towards Mars. 一去不返飞往火星
The trans-Mars injection manoeuver 去火星的点火轨道机动
we planned and executed. 我们计划并执行
That also went through. As an operation 这也过去了，这个阶段
I would say it was perfect. 我说是很成功的
The engine is fired up and jettisons Mangalyaan 发动机点火，推动“曼加里安”
out of Earth's orbit 离开了地球轨道
and on its first ever interplanetary journey 这是它的第一次星际旅行
towards Mars. 去往火星
A new chapter in India's space odyssey 印度的太空探索历程的新篇章
has begun. 开始了
The further Mangalyaan travels away from Earth “曼加里安”离地球越远
the greater the danger of losing contact with it. 与它失去联系的风险越大
But as it hurtles in the unfamiliar territory 但当它在不熟悉的外层空间领域飞行时
of outer space, accurate navigation and communication 精确的导航与通信
would make or break 将成就或失败
India's Mars ambition. 印度的火星夙愿
Mangalyaan, India's Mars Orbiter “曼加里安”，印度的火星环绕器
is now hurtling towards Mars 正朝火星飞去
at a speed of over 20 kilometres per second. 超过20千米/秒的速度
Scientists feel 科学家们觉得
that Mars holds some secrets 火星上藏着一些秘密
about the origin of life on the Planet Earth. 关于地球上生命的起源
And also it is believed, that after a few decades 而且人们相信，几十年后
humankind would be able to have habitat in Mars. 人类可以在火星上建立栖息地
Futurists have been fascinated with Mars 未来学家对火星着迷
due to its proximity to Earth. 因为它离地球很近
In many ways, it's a little like Earth. 在很多方面，有点像地球
For starters, its surface is very similar to Earth's 首先，它的表面与地球非常相似
and the length of its day a little more than 24 hours. 一天的时间比24小时多一点儿
1 Mars year is equal to about 2 Earth years. 1火星年相当于大约2地球年
And the weight on Mars is about one-third the weight on Earth. 火星上的重力大约是地球重力的三分之一
Like Earth, it has volcanoes, canyons and polar ice caps. 像地球一样，它有火山、峡谷和极地冰盖
This is what excites space scientists 这就是激起空间科学家
possibilitie for future colonisation. 畅想移民火星的可能性
Former President 前总统
President APJ Abdul Kalam once told me 第11任总统阿卜杜尔·卡拉姆说
Earth, Moon and Mars 地球、月球和火星
are all part of one 都是一个整体
industrial complex. 工业综合体
He always felt that there would be mining of the Moon 他总觉得月球上将有采矿业
there would be mining of Mars, and the human race 会有火星上的开采，还有人类
would be travelling between Earth, Moon and Mars 将要在地球、月球和火星之间往返旅行
as one configuration. 成为一个大的体系
As it travels towards Mars after leaving Earth's Orbit 当它离开地球轨道后向火星移动
Mangalyaan is in almost frictionless vacuum. “曼加里安”在几乎无摩擦的真空中
Its engine has been switched off 发动机保持熄火
and will be turned on 300 days later 在300天后再点火
when it approaches Mars. 当它接近火星的时候
Mangalyaan is in an unfamiliar and extreme environment. “曼加里安”在陌生和极端的环境中
For one, it's travelling away from the Sun 首先，它正在逐渐远离太阳
so the temperatures it's exposed to 所以它所在的空间温度
can be lower than -150 degree centigrade. 可以低于-150摄氏度
ISRO scientists are prepared for this eventuality. ISRO的科学家已经准备好了应对这种情况
Mangalyaan was tested to endure a vacuum environment “曼加里安”已测试过真空环境
high vibration, extreme temperature variation 强烈振动，极端温度变化
and high levels of sound 以及很大的噪音
to prepare it for this epic journey. 为这次惊人的旅程做好准备
The testing requirements were very huge 测试要求非常多
because we have to simulate so many scenarios. 因为我们必须模拟这么多的情况
So, those kinds of thousands and thousands of combinations 所以，成千上万的情境组合
need to be tested in the ground 需要在地球上验证
to ensure that we don't get 确认我们不会在
any failure in some of the parts. 任何步骤失败
India's Mars Orbiter is on schedule. 印度的火星环绕器在路上
If all goes well, it will reach Mars orbit 如果一切顺利，它将到达火星轨道
on September the 24th, 2014. 在2014年9月24日
But the mission team knows that's easier said than done. 任务团队知道说起来容易做起来难
So, how does one navigate a spacecraft 那么，怎么操纵遥远的探测器
when all you can see is deep space? 如果你能看到的只有无垠的深空
Hundreds of years ago, Ancient Indian astronomers 几百年前，古印度天文学家
like Aryabhata and Varahamihira 比如Aryabhata和Varahamihira
using very rudimentary instruments 使用非常基本的仪器
have studied the stars and mapped them 研究过星星并绘制了星图
and studied the planetary motions. 研究行星运动
Ancient explorers have used the stars in the night sky 古代探险家曾用夜空中的星星
to navigate their position and go around in the exploration. 在探险的过程中导航他们的位置
In a similar way, our Mars mission team 以类似的方式，我们的火星任务团队
has also used the stars around the spacecraft 也利用在探测器周围的星星
to know their precise orientation 指导准确方位
and proceed accurately towards Mars. 准确地飞往火星
And that team was spearheaded 那支团队的领导
by Nandini Harinath and Ritu Karidhal 是Nandini Harinath和Ritu Karidhal
who monitor power and communication 负责电力和通信
and operate Mangalyaan to stay on course. 并控制“曼加里安”持续前进
There was a lot of anxiety, you know 有很多让人担心的事，你知道的
whether things would work or not work. 仪器能不能顺利工作
There were many reasons why Mangalyaan could veer off course. “曼加里安”有很多原因可能会偏离方向
The Sun's radiation or the firing of the engine 太阳辐射或者发动机的点火
could exert a force on the body of the craft 在探测器的机身上施加力
which could cause the spacecraft to rotate or wobble 可能导致探测器旋转或摆动
like a clumsy ball. 像一个笨拙的球
It needs to be really monitored, corrected 它需要随时的监控、纠正
so that the orbit which we achieve is precise. 所以我们的目标轨道是精确的
The mammoth task ahead of this team 这个团队面对艰巨的任务
was to keep Mangalyaan's antenna pointing towards Earth 保证“曼加里安”的天线指向地面
so it could communicate uninterrupted 它可以不间断沟通
with the mission team across millions of kilometres. 跨越千万公里与控制团队取得联系
Mind-boggling when you compare 你会觉得难以置信
what a challenge it is to manage 这是一个多么大的挑战
an uninterrupted mobile communication here on Earth. 在地球上与不断移动中的探测器保持联系
And speaking with Mangalyaan 与“曼加里安”对话的是
was this loud mouth or the deep space antenna 大嘴一样的深空天线
loacted in the the sleepy town of Byalalu 在比亚拉鲁冷清的小镇
in the outskirts of Bengaluru. 班加罗尔的郊区
Antenna basically, has got a very sensitive ear 天线基本上是，很敏感的耳朵
and a loud mouth antenna, which means that 还有向外发信号的天线，能够
even in the background of heavy noise 即使在背景噪音中
so the signal is so weak 信号很弱的情况下
we will be able to decode the signal. 我们也可以解码信号
It is very sensitive enough to decode 它非常灵敏，能解码
even the weakest possible signal. 即使是最微弱的信号
At the same time, we have to pump 同时，我们得传输
an extra, very high-power level 强大的信号
to transmit from ground station. 从地球发射出去
Depending on where Mangalyaan is 关键要看“曼加里安”在
it takes anywhere between 8 to 43 minutes 多远的地方，需要8—43分钟不等
for a message to be sent and received by Mangalyaan. 信号往返消耗的时间
To send a message from Earth 从地球发送一个信号
20 kilowatts of power is pumped through this antenna 通过这个天线20千瓦的功率发射出去
a really loud shout to Mars. 这样的信号到火星也够了
Back at the Mission Control Room in Bengaluru 回到班加罗尔的任务控制室
the count down has started. 倒计时已经开始
Mangalyaan is now nearing Mars. “曼加里安”接近火星了
Over the past months 过去几个月
scientists have corrected Mangalyaan's course 科学家们已经纠正了“曼加里安”的轨道
adjusted its speed and checked and cross-checked its controls. 调整速度，检查并反复核对控制程序
The big moment is near 关键的时刻到来了
when Mangalyaan has to enter the Mars orbit. “曼加里安”进入火星轨道
But this part of the journey is fraught with challenges. 但这段旅程充满挑战
The mission team is under great pressure 任务团队在巨大的压力下
and it has one big worry. 还有一个大问题
Mangalyaan's engine. “曼加里安”的发动机
The same engine is required to work 同一台发动机必须正常工作
after a period of about 9 months of travel. 经历了9个月的长途旅行
Mangalyaan has been hurtling “曼加里安”飞过
through almost frictionless vacuum 茫茫无际的真空
at a speed of over 20 kilometres per second 超过20千米/秒的速度
without the use of its engine. 发动机一直静静等待
The engine was last turned on around 300 days back 最后一次点火在300天之前
to speed the craft up 用于加速探测器
enough to leave Earth's sphere of influence. 足够脱离地球的引力范围
It now needs to fire up again to enter Mars orbit. 现在需要再次启动进入火星轨道
In the worst case, it would have been a fly-by. 在最坏的情况下，那会变成飞掠飞行
We will not be able to capture it into an Orbiter on Mars. 我们无法让它被火星的引力捕获
It will do one swing-by 它会环绕飞半圈
and go away again out of Martian sphere of influence. 然后再飞出火星的引力范围
Years of hardwork and planning 多年的努力和规划
days and nights of careful tracking 日夜仔细跟踪
and it all comes down to one moment 一切都集中在一点上
with the odds stacked against them. 就概率来看也并不乐观
Will the engine come on at the crucial moment 在关键时刻发动机能够点火
to allow Mangalyaan 把“曼加里安”送进
to successfully enter Mars orbit? 环绕火星的轨道吗？
The satellite was in slumber, like a coma. 卫星一直在睡觉，昏睡不醒
And then, it had to be woken up. 然后，它必须醒来了
So, it's very similar to like in Ramayana 很像在《罗摩衍那》
where you have Kumbhakarna who is sleeping 这部史诗里,库姆巴卡纳在沉睡
and then wakes up and does what is required in war. 然后醒来成为战争中的勇士
What's the br.. - Scientists 反正就是……科学家
at the Mission Control Room are tense. 在任务控制室里很紧张
India's spacecraft Mangalyaan 印度的探测器“曼加里安”
is preparing to enter the orbit of Planet Mars. 准备要进入环火星轨道
Everyone's big concern is whether the engine that was shut off 每个人最关心的是关闭的发动机
almost 300 days ago 300天之后
would come on for the spacecraft to succeed in its mission. 能够正常点火让探测器完成任务
The same engine is required to work 同一个发动机要正常工作
after a period of about 9 months of travel. 在9个月的旅程之后
That means there is a long gap 这意味着有很长的停顿时间
between the initial operations requirement 在初次操作
and the subsequent need for usage. 和后续的操作之间
Now, after 300 days, the engine had to be turned on 现在，300天之后，发动机必须点火
to enable Mangalyaan to do a complicated manoeuvre 推动“曼加里安”做复杂的动作
of slowing down to enter the Martian orbit. 减速进入火星轨道
Initially, our task was to increase the velocity. 最初，我们的任务是提高速度
But on September 24th 但是在9月24日
our task was to reduce that velocity 我们的任务是减速
at the right time so that 在准确的时间
instead of flying through the planetary system 而不会飞出火星范围
it will be properly captured around Mars. 它将被火星引力捕获
This breaking was done 这次刹车是
by turning the spacecraft 把探测器掉转方向
and then firing the liquid engine in the opposite direction. 反向启动液体火箭发动机
Several Mars missions have failed at this stage. 有些火星任务就是在这一步失败的
If the velocity is not adjusted accurately 如果速度不能准确调整
Mangalyaan could crash into Mars' surface “曼加里安”可能撞到火星上
or fail to enter into its intended orbit 或者飞出火星引力之外
and wander off aimlessly into space. 进入太空去游荡
2 days before D-Day D-Day前2天
or Mars Orbit Insertion 或者说进入火星轨道之前
the decision is taken to test if the engine would come on. 决定对发动机进行点火测试
Mangalyaan's engine fired up without a hitch. “曼加里安”的发动机点火非常顺畅
Well done. 干得好
For the last trajectory correction manoeuvre 最后一次轨道修正
which happened 41 hours before the MOI. 在进入火星轨道的41小时之前
So, it was decided to use the main lam engine. 要用主发动机
And that day, the engine performed flawlessly 那天，发动机丝毫不差
for 4 seconds and we could get exactly what we wanted. 按照我们想要的那样工作了4秒
Scientists were temporarily relieved 科学家暂时轻松了
but the real challenge was looming ahead. 但后面还有更严峻的挑战
News comes in that America's Mars Orbiter, MAVEN 有消息说美国的火星轨道器“马文”
has successfully entered into the Martian orbit. 已成功进入火星轨道
Will India be able to do the same with Mangalyaan? 印度的“曼加里安”能做到吗？
Insertion of Mars satellite into the orbit 火星卫星插入轨道
you have only one opportunity 你只有一次机会
so you can not fail. 不能失败
There is no correction possible for you simply because 简单来说，没有更正的机会
you do not have enough fuel. 因为你没有足够的燃料
See, most of the other missions which have been done 看，大部分已经完成的其他任务中
they carry with them so much more fuel 带了足够的燃料
that even if some problem occurs, an error occurs 即使出现问题，出现错误
there is enough opportunity for you to recover 也有足够的机会让你调整
and then make it happen. 并完成任务
Scientists had many hurdles ahead. 科学家面对很多障碍
What makes this moment even more difficult 让这一刻更困难的是
is that while Mangalyaan enters the Martian orbit “曼加里安”进入火星轨道的时候
it will go behind the Red Planet 它将被火星挡住
thus cutting off communication with Earth and the mission team. 切断了与地球和任务团队的联系
This means Mangalyaan has to function on auto mode. “曼加里安”必须在自动模式下工作
Command Systems.. 所带的系统
Commands have been fed in advance 命令已预先发出
but there was a catch. 但还有一个难点
Mangalyaan's intelligent system, or its brain “曼加里安”的系统，或者说大脑
is powered by its solar panels. 是由太阳能电池驱动的
But at the point of insertion 但在进入轨道的时候
sunlight to Mangalyaan will be blocked off by Mars “曼加里安”的阳光被火星挡住了
so it will not get adequate power. 所以没有足够的功率
The amount of power the satellite requires 卫星需要功率的大小
for all its systems to function is about 800 watts. 所有系统正常工作所需约800瓦
That is equivalent to 8 x 100-watt bulb. 相当于8个100瓦灯泡
So, with that minimal power even the satellite can function. 所以，需要保证功率，让卫星保持工作
So, the solar energy that Mars receives is much less. 而火星所接收的太阳能要少得多
So, it varies in the region of 40% to 60% 各个地方的情况各不相同，大约40%到60%
of what one would receive on Earth. 相比于地球接收的强度
Mangalyaan's design did take this into account. “曼加里安”的设计确实考虑到了这一点
It has a backup lithium-ion battery. 它有备用的锂电池
So, in effect, Mangalyaan would enter Mars orbit 因此，事实上，“曼加里安”进入火星轨道
on its own, powered by a battery. 完全自主，电池供电
The satellite is going behind Mars 卫星被火星挡住
so it will get into what you can say 你可以说它进入了
line of sight nonvisibility. 视线不可见区域
Then, it was also going into eclipse 然后，它的太阳光也被火星挡住
because the power generation on the satellite was going down. 火星探测器的发电能力没了
So, all those things were almost like a negative. 这些都是负面的影响因素
So, you don't have access after 4 minutes 所以，4分钟后还没有进入轨道
and you don't have visibility. 就再也没希望了
So, I kept telling, "Prepare for the worst" 我一直说：“做最坏的准备”
"hope for the best." “抱最大的希望”
That is the motto we can say. 这是我们的座右铭
September 24th, 2014. 2014年9月24日
A calm morning in Bengaluru 班加罗尔的早晨平静如常
belies the fact 掩盖了
this is the moment of truth 背后的紧张刺激
for one of India's most daring missions. 印度最冒险的任务
Its first interplanetary journey 第一个星际任务
to Mars. 赶往火星
In the Mission Control Room 在任务控制室里
Prime Minister Narendra Modi 印度总理Narendra Modi
is intently watching history unfold before his eyes. 正在全神贯注地守望着历史的时刻
India's Space Research Organisation's top bosses 印度的空间研究组织的高层领导
K.Radhakrishnan and A.S.Kiran Kumar K.Radhakrishnan和A.S.Kiran Kumar
calmly monitor the progress of the mission. 冷静地监控着任务的进展
We had to do a lot of new developments. 我们必须做很多新的设计
We had to go through detail testing. 我们必须做很多详细测试
The team did that what was considered impossible 团队做到了被认为是不可能的任务
basically, the unleashing of the energy of this team. 就是把团队的能量释放出来
And the team evolved as they went ahead. 不断前进的过程中团队也得到发展
Upto September 24th, it was a great phase of learning. 截至9月24日，这是一次很好的磨炼
And you would have seen in the Mission Control Centre 在任务控制中心你会看到
that day, the bubbling youth 那天，闪光的年轻人
and the experienced elders 有经验的长者
all coming together around this great mission. 围绕着这次伟大的任务所有人走到一起
The plan of action is triggered. 操作计划启动
Mangalyaan reorients to slow down. “曼加里安”调整方向来减速
5 minutes before ignition 点火前5分钟
Mangalyaan passes into the Martian shadow “曼加里安”进入了火星的阴影
entering an eclipse. 遮住了光
The solar panels do not generate enough power 太阳能电池板没有足够的能量
as Mars obstructs sunlight to the Orbiter. 火星挡住了环绕器的阳光
So, Mangalyaan switches to its lithium-ion battery. “曼加里安”切换成了锂电池
At this point, Mangalyaan is still 在这一点，“曼加里安”仍然
in line of sight with Earth. 在地球的视线之内
The engine fires up, but 4 minutes later 发动机点火，但是4分钟之后
Mangalyaan goes behind Mars “曼加里安”跑到火星后面
cutting off all communication with the mission team. 切断了和任务团队的所有通信
It will be over 25 minutes before a signal is received. 25分钟后才能接到下一条信息
There is pin-drop silence in the Mission Control Room. 在任务控制室里安静异常，针落有声
Without the signal from Mangalyaan 没有来自“曼加里安”的信号
teams could only hope that their spacecraft 团队成员只能寄希望于他们的探测器
was behaving well and as planned. 能按照原计划良好表现
It seems like the longest wait. 漫长的等待
At this time, we had no real-time communication 在这个时候，我们没有实时通讯
on what was happening. 正在发生的事情
We had to wait patiently for the final result. 必须耐心等待结果
It is like a period of measured silence 就像一段固定的静默
in a symphony. 在交响乐之中
Life is like that 生命如此
and space science is always like that. 空间探索也是如此
You have to wait for that period of almost half an hour 你必须等待差不多半个小时
knowing that, "Okay, everything is going on fine." 才能知道：好了，一切顺利
Or, "Is it going on fine?" 或者：它还好吗？
Will you get back the satellite? This thing.. 能收到来自卫星的信号吗？就是这样的
So, that is the apprehension at that time. 所以，这就是当时提心吊胆
At this critical juncture 在最关键的时刻
NASA's ground stations in Goldstone, California NASA的测控站，在Goldstone, California
and Canberra, Australia are intently tracking Mangalyaan. 和Canberra, Australia一直盯着“曼加里安”的动静
They would be the first to receive confirmation of success 它们将第一个收到成功的信号
of this mission. 这个任务
The first message from Mangalyaan comes in. “曼加里安”的第一个信号来了
It has successfully entered Mars orbit. 它成功进入了火星轨道
Scientists are jubilant. 科学家们欢呼雀跃
Prime Minister Modi cannot help display his elation. 莫迪总理兴高采烈，喜气洋洋
This is a landmark moment in India's space program. 在印度的太空计划中里程碑式的时刻
History has been created today. 创造了历史
We have dared to reach out 我们勇于探索
into the unknown and have achieved 未知世界，并且实现了
the near impossible. 不可能的任务
I congratulate 我祝贺
all ISRO scientists 所有ISRO的科学家
as well as all my fellow Indians 以及所有的印度人民
on this historic occasion. 在这个历史性的时刻
On that day, September 24th 在9月24日那天
the children from the schools, they came early morning 学校的孩子们，他们一大早就来了
and they watched this thing. 观看了整个过程
And we can see that response. 我们可以看到这种效果
The greatest benefit that we got from this mission in my view 这次任务在我看来，我们得到的最大好处
is kindling those young minds 点燃了那些年轻人的激情
to get into science 探索科学领域
to give a feeling that India can do 给人一种信心印度可以做到
what people think impossible. 很多人认为不可能的事情
As Mangalyaan cruises around Mars in a highly elliptical orbit 当“曼加里安”在火星的椭圆轨道上巡游时
it cant wait to show off its cool camera onboard. 它迫不及待地想炫耀自带的照相机
Rare and exciting photographs start pouring in. 珍稀的照片开始大量发回来
A full disc picture of Mars. 火星图片装满了硬盘
Volcanoes. Large canyon ranges. 火山、大峡谷
Water vapour clouds. 水蒸气的云雾
Phobos, one of the two natural moons of Mars. Phobos,火星的两颗卫星之一
Spacecrafts like NASA's Curiosity rover NASA的好奇号探测器
that are already stationed around Mars welcome Mangalyaan. 早已经在火星欢迎“曼加里安”的到来
Curiosity's Twitter handle posts 好奇号的Twitter发出：
"Namaste." 致礼
And Mangalyaan replies, "Howdy." “曼加里安”回复：你好
The MAVEN team congratulates ISRO “马文”团队向ISRO表示祝贺
for its Mars arrival. 到达了火星
India's Orbiter joins the missions 印度的环绕器开始任务
studying the Red Planet. 研究红色星球
The Indian space agency is now the 4th in the world 印度航天局现在是世界第四位
to successfully send a mission to Mars 成功实施了火星任务
and the first ever to do this in its maiden attempt. 而且是第一个，首次发射就成功
The international community recognised this mission 国际社会承认这一任务
as a unique one, for the simple reason 是罕见的，因为
it was done in a short time. 任务在短时间内实施
It was also done at a small budget. 而且用了很少的预算
Whenever next there is a big interplanetary mission 现在再要实施星际任务
the world can't ignore India now. 世界不可能忽略印度了
India would be a party to it. 印度已成为其中一员
So, that's the big gain 所以这是一个很大的收获
out of the Mangalyaan mission. 因为“曼加里安”任务
Our primary objective will continue to be 我们的首要目标将继续
how we can bring in this space technology 怎样发挥空间科技的力量
for the benefit of the country. 让整个国家受益
At the time of making this film 在制作这部影片期间
Mangalyaan had completed “曼加里安”已经
over 100 orbits around Mars. 环绕火星100圈
It continues to send back precious data. 它继续送回珍贵的数据
The Red Planet doesn't seem so far after all. 这颗红色的星球似乎不再遥远
字幕组：@火星学会 @MarsSociety