In 2013, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) embarked on a monumental mission to explore the Red Planet with Mangalyaan or Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). Approved by the government of India, Mangalyaan was a millionaire interplanetary space project aimed at establishing an Indian craft into Mars’ orbit, with a launch date set for October of that year. The main objective of Mangalyaan was to conduct a deep study of the Red Planet and its chemistry, making ISRO the fourth space agency to reach Mars after NASA’s Curiosity Rover, Roscosmos, and ESA. This article is a small package of words that explains Mangalyaan's objectives, challenges, and interesting information about the Indian Mars craft that captured the attention of the world.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) worked on the Mangalyaan mission, which was the first time an Indian spacecraft explored the Red Planet from Mars' orbit. According to updates from ISRO, the Mangalyaan had a mass of 500 kg. This historic mission represented a major achievement for India's space program and generated excitement and pride among the Indian public. The spacecraft's objectives included conducting a deep study of the Martian atmosphere and surface, searching for signs of life, and demonstrating India's technological capabilities on the global stage.
Exploring the Red Planet: A Look at Mangalyaan's Mission Objectives
One of the main objectives of the first Indian mission to Mars was to develop the technologies required for designing, planning, managing, and operating an interplanetary mission. This objective was ambitious, as interplanetary missions require significant engineering expertise and innovation.
By achieving this objective, India's space program expanded its capabilities and was better equipped to conduct future missions to other planets and celestial bodies.
The major tasks to be executed by Mangalyaan were as follows Design and realization of a Mars orbiter with the capability to survive and perform Earth-bound maneuvers, a cruise phase of 300 days, Mars orbit insertion/capture, and an on-orbit phase around Mars. Achieving this task required significant engineering expertise and innovation, given the complex and challenging conditions of interplanetary spaceflight. The spacecraft was designed to withstand the harsh conditions of space and execute precise maneuvers to enter and maintain an orbit around Mars.
- Exploration of the surface, atmosphere, morphology, and mineralogy of The Red Planet by advanced scientific instruments. This task involved the use of several scientific instruments, including a methane sensor, thermal infrared spectrometer, and a camera, to collect data on the Martian atmosphere and surface. The data collected provided valuable insights into the planet's characteristics and composition, helping scientists to better understand its formation and evolution.
- Deep space communication, navigation, mission planning, and management. Communication and navigation were critical components of the mission, enabling the spacecraft to communicate with Earth and manoeuvre precisely in space. Mission planning and management were also essential to ensure that the spacecraft executed its tasks successfully and efficiently.
- Navigation of the planet in all phases. Navigation of the planet was crucial to the mission's success, requiring precise calculations and manoeuvring by the spacecraft. The spacecraft had to execute manoeuvres to enter and maintain an orbit around Mars, as well as conduct flybys of the planet to gather data.
- Detection of the presence of Methane on Mars to examine the possibility of life, using the Methane sensor. This task was particularly significant as it would help scientists examine the possibility of life on the planet. Methane is a potential indicator of biological activity, and the detection of methane on Mars would be a significant finding in the search for life beyond Earth.
Overview of Mangalyaan's Payload
The Indian Mars Orbiter Mission, also known as Mangalyaan, had a payload of 15 kg by mass consisting of five scientific instruments selected by the Advisory Committee for Space Sciences (ACSS). The spacecraft had a total mass of 1350 kg.
The five scientific instruments equipped to Mangalyaan were chosen to perform various scientific investigations on the Martian atmosphere and surface. These instruments are as follows:
- Lyman Alpha Photometer (LAP): This instrument was used to measure the relative abundance of deuterium and hydrogen from Lyman-alpha emission in the Martian upper atmosphere. It was used to understand the loss process of water from the planet.
- Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM): This instrument was designed to detect the presence of methane in the Martian atmosphere. Methane is a potential indicator of biological activity and detecting its presence on Mars could have significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth.
- Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA): This instrument was used to analyze the neutral composition in the range of 1 to 300 amu with unit mass resolution. It was used to investigate the particle environment around Mars.
- Mars Color Camera (MCC): This instrument was used to provide colored images and information about the surface features and composition of the Martian surface. It was also used to study the two satellites of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, and provide context information for other science payloads.
- Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS): This instrument was used to measure the thermal emission on the Red planet during day and night. It was used to map the surface composition and mineralogy of Mars.
Launch and Journey to Mars: The Success Story of India's Mangalyaan Mission
ISRO launched the spacecraft using its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C25), which successfully took the satellite into space. The launch window remained open from October 28, 2013, to November 19, 2013. After launching into space, the Mangalyaan began its journey to Mars, with a planned orbit insertion date of September 2014.
Collaborative Efforts: NASA's Support for India's Mars Mission
The successful launch of Mangalyaan marked a significant milestone for India's space program, demonstrating its growing capabilities in space exploration and technology development. The mission's success also contributed to expanding our understanding of the Red Planet, with valuable data and insights collected by the spacecraft's scientific instruments.