India to launch Orbiter to Mars next week

Assistant director of mission control centre of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), V Seshagiri Rao, said that the countdown for the launch would commence on November 3rd

“Actually we are picking up countdown on fifty six and half  hours (56:30)  on 3rd of November… aiming for a launch of 5th November evening…,” he said.
 
The satellite would carry several payloads which include a Lyman Alpha Photometer, a methane sensor, thermal infrared imaging spectrometer and a mars colour camera.
 
A sensor to trace Methane, which is a precursor chemical to life, could help the scientists in detecting life on Mars.