New Delhi - The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch another spacecraft to Mars, nearly a decade after its initial successful attempt at placing a spacecraft in Martian orbit.
Documents obtained by media reveals that the Mars Orbiter Mission-2, affectionately known as Mangalyaan-2, will carry four distinct scientific payloads. This mission aims to study various aspects of Mars, including interplanetary dust, the Martian atmosphere, and the planetary environment.
According to an official quoted by one of the medias, "All of these payloads are currently in different stages of development."
Here's what to anticipate from this upcoming mission:
Mars Orbit Dust Experiment (MODEX): This payload is designed to investigate the origin, abundance, distribution, and flux of interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) at high altitudes on Mars. It can detect particles within a size range from a few hundred nanometers to several micrometers, traveling at hypervelocity speeds (> 1 km/s). MODEX's findings will help elucidate the nature of dust flux at Mars, verify the existence of any potential Martian rings, and confirm the source of the dust, whether it originates interplanetary space or from Mars' moons, Phobos and Deimos.
Radio Occultation (RO) Experiment: The RO experiment's objective is to measure neutral and electron density profiles in the Martian atmosphere.
Energetic Ion Spectrometer (EIS): This instrument is being developed to characterize solar energetic particles and supra-thermal solar wind particles within the Martian environment.
Langmuir Probe and Electric Field Experiment (LPEX): LPEX is intended to measure electron number density, electron temperature, and electric field waves, providing critical insights into the plasma environment surrounding Mars. The experiment includes one Langmuir probe (LP) and two electric field (EF) sensors, each mounted on an extended boom.
India's Initial Mars Mission:
On September 24, 2014, India achieved a historic milestone by successfully entering Mars' orbit during its inaugural attempt. This achievement was unprecedented among space agencies worldwide. The mission carried five scientific payloads designed to study the planet's surface features, morphology, mineralogy, and atmosphere.
The first Mars Orbiter Mission was launched via the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C25 on November 5, 2013. With this successful mission, ISRO became the fourth space agency globally to place a spacecraft into Mars orbit and the first to do so on its maiden attempt.