India made history on September 24, 2014, by successfully inserting its first interplanetary space probe, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), into Mars' orbit on its maiden attempt. Launched from Sriharikota using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket on November 5, 2013, MOM embarked on a 300-day cruise phase in heliocentric orbit before achieving its elliptical orbit around Mars.
The spacecraft now orbits Mars with its nearest point (periapsis) at 424 km and farthest point (apoapsis) at 77,098 km, maintaining an inclination of ~150 degrees with respect to the equatorial plane of Mars. In this orbit, MOM completes one orbit around Mars approximately every 73 hours.
MOM's objectives encompass the design and realization of an interplanetary spacecraft capable of surviving Earth-bound maneuvers, cruise phase, Mars orbit insertion, and on-orbit operations around Mars. Scientifically, MOM aims to explore the Martian surface and atmosphere, addressing key questions about Mars' habitability and geological, climatic, and atmospheric processes.
To achieve these goals, five scientific payloads were carefully selected, designed, and developed to operate from Martian orbit. These payloads include the Mars Colour Camera (MCC), Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS), Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM), Lyman Alpha Photometer (LAP), and Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA).
The MCC, an electro-optical sensor, captures images of Mars' surface in three colors with varying spatial resolution, providing insights into landform morphology, dust storms, and polar ice cap variability. TIS observes thermal emissions from Mars' surface to detect temperature variations and hot spot regions. MSM measures methane levels in the Martian atmosphere, offering potential clues about the presence of life. LAP analyzes deuterium-to-hydrogen ratios to understand Martian water loss processes, while MENCA provides data on Martian exosphere composition and density distribution.
Moreover, MOM's instruments had a unique opportunity to observe the Comet Siding Spring's close approach to Mars on October 19, 2014. These observations aimed to study the comet's size, shape, and brightness changes, with MSM and MENCA analyzing its composition and impact on Mars' exosphere.
In summary, India's Mars Orbiter Mission represents a significant milestone in space exploration, showcasing India's capabilities in interplanetary missions and contributing valuable insights into Mars' mysteries.
Leave a comment