India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), launched on November 5, 2013, marked a remarkable feat in space exploration as India became the first country to successfully insert an interplanetary space probe into Mars' orbit on its inaugural attempt.
After a 300-day cruise phase in heliocentric orbit, MOM entered Mars' orbit, where it now conducts scientific exploration of the Martian surface and atmosphere. Equipped with five scientific payloads, MOM aims to unravel the mysteries of Mars, focusing on questions regarding its habitability and geological, climatic, and atmospheric processes.
The Mars Colour Camera (MCC) captures high-quality images of Mars' surface, providing insights into landform morphology, dust storms, and polar ice cap variability. Meanwhile, the Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS) detects temperature variations and hot spot regions on Mars.
The Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM) plays a crucial role in detecting methane levels in the Martian atmosphere, offering potential clues about the existence of life on Mars. Additionally, the Lyman Alpha Photometer (LAP) and Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA) contribute valuable data on Martian atmospheric composition and water loss processes.
One of MOM's notable achievements was its observation of Comet Siding Spring's close approach to Mars on October 19, 2014. This provided a unique opportunity to study the comet's characteristics and its impact on Mars' exosphere.
India's Mars Orbiter Mission signifies a significant leap in space exploration, demonstrating India's technological prowess and contributing to humanity's understanding of the Red Planet.
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