After outliving its six-month lifespan, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) has crossed another hurdle — the solar conjunction. “It now has enough fuel to last a few more years,” said A.S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The sun had blocked Mars from the earth, snapping communication with the satellite, from June 8 to 22.

On the sidelines of the Global Alumni Meet of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) here on Friday, Mr. Kumar said signals had resumed and data would be coming in once again from MOM in the next few days.

Having completed 100 orbits and having sent 400 frames of images already, MOM could now explore the different seasons of Mars, Mr. Kumar said, and added that its survival of the solar eclipse showed the “autonomy” of the satellite.

Mr. Kumar said the ambitious satellite by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) could see a December 2016 launch and would take about 18 months, subject to a final approval. Countries involved in the making of the satellite met in New Delhi on June 22. Among the areas the satellite is expected to cover are telecommunication and disaster management.

Asked about the participation of Pakistan, he said scientists from the country had taken part in the New Delhi meeting.

December 2016 launch likely for SAARC satellite, says ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar