News Analysis: Both America and India launched their Crafts in November for flights to Mars. Both vehicles should be operational at that Planet before Comet C/2013A1 flies by. Since it is estimated to approach Mars from a mere 89 to 173 thousand kilometers (55 to 107 thousand miles), the gas and dust cloud around the comet will envelop the Planet and its atmosphere. In fact, the dust would be hundreds of thousands of times larger than the comet’s diameter. During its two hour approach dust levels will intensify up to 10,000 times!
The performances of both spacecraft will definitely be challenged by Comet C/2013A1. One would expect that both craft will find the Comet to be a “Mere Inconvenience” that they dealt with and triumphed. If anything, their appearances may end up being rather “Dusty” from the Event, but Fully Operational nonetheless.
Reference: http://english.pravda.ru/science/tech/19-12-2013/126429-space_mars-0/