Speaking to NDTV, ISRO chief said, given the progress that the scientists have made in design and development efforts, the expected delivery could well be aroung 2021.
According to Radhakrishnan, key to launching a manned mission would be testing a three person crew capsule - the prototype of which is set to be tested soon after ISRO tests its maiden GSLV Mk-III rocket, which is due to blast-off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh in December.
On Mangalyaan or Mars Orbiter Mission's (MOM) performance, Radhakrishnan asserted, the satellite is doing more than what was expected. The orbiter is healthy and is now likely to remain operational for years, well beyond the six to ten months that had once been envisioned, he added.
Radhakrishnan hoped that MOM's new discoveries could be announced within two to three months.
He also said, ISRO had locked in a design of an Indian-made Martian lander and would soon be in a position to build a prototype.
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