Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
A SEMINAR REPORT
SUBMITTED BY
[BHARANIDHARAN K]
[HARISUDHAN S]
[KARTHICK R]
[KARTHIK N]
[NANDHAKUMAR M]
CB.EN.U4MEE12010
CB.EN.U4MEE12018
CB.EN.U4MEE12020
CB.EN.U4MEE12021
CB.EN.U4MEE12030
ABSTRACT
The interest in the study of our neighboring planet have started in early 1600s, through telescope, which
made to suspect that it is earth-like planet. Since 1960, there have been 45 missions to mars with just about
three of them being successful. The Indian mars mission MANGALYAAN designed and developed by
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is to study Martian atmosphere like climate, geology, origin
and evolution and sustainability of life on the planet. Mars orbiter mission MANGALYAAN is ISROs first
interplanetary mission designed to orbit the planet Mars. It is launched on 5th November 2013 by PSLV-XL
rocket. The spacecraft started its mars transfer trajectory on November 26th2013and placed in a highly
elliptical orbit after the crucial mars orbit insertion maneuver by firing the 440 N Liquid Apogee motor. One
of the main objectives of MANGALYAAN is to develop the technologies required for the design,
planning, management and operations of an interplanetary mission.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SL.NO.
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
2
2.1
2.2
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
4
4.1
TITLE
PAGE
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES
NOMENCLATURE
5
6
7
INTRODUCTION TO SPACE
Laws Of Planetary Motion
Universal Law of Gravitation
Requirement for Motion In Space
1.3.1Motion In Rotating Frame of Reference
1.3.2Orbital Velocity
1.3.3Orbital Period
Geo-Synchronous and Geo-Stationary Orbits
Eccentricity and Inclination of Orbits
1.5.1Inclination: Polar and Retrograde Orbit
1.5.2Transfer Orbit
Energy and Velocity Requirement To Reach A Particular Orbit
Escape Velocity
8
8
9
9
10
12
13
14
14
17
17
18
OBJECTIVES
Mission Objectives
2.1.1Researching Mars Orbit
2.1.2Searching for Methane
2.1.3 Detection of Moisture
2.1.4
Finding of Various Gases
2.1.5 Finding Radiation
Scientific Objectives
CHALLENGES IN SPACE MISSION
Power System
Communication System
Ground Segment
Propulsion System
On-board Autonomy
Weather
Comet Strike
Overall Mission Intricacies
20
20
20
21
21
21
22
23
23
23
24
24
24
25
4.2
4.3
LAUNCH VEHICLE
Introduction To PSLV
4.1.1
Stages of PSLV
4.1.2
Payload Firing
PSLV-XL C25
Why PSLV-XLC25 Is Preferred Instead of GSLV
27
33
34
35
5
5.1
5.2
SPACECRAFT
Liquid Apogee Motor
Propulsive Attitude Control System
37
38
3
5.3
6
6.1
Antenna
MISSION PAYLOADS
Complications in Selection of Payloads396.2
6.2.1
6.2.2
6.2.3
6.2.4
6.2.5
7
7.1
7.2
8
Payloads
39
40
41
42
42
43
44
45
7.1.2
Helio-Centric Phase
7.1.3
Martian Phase
Tracking and Command
CONCLUSION
REFERENCE
46
46
46
47
50
LIST OF FIGURES
FIG. NO.
TITLE
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE NO
TITLE
PAGE NO
1.1
Mass and diameter of the planets
2.1
Composition of gases
4.1
Specifications of First Stage Launch Vehicle
4.2Specifications of Second Stage Launch Vehicle
4.3Specifications of Third Stage Launch Vehicle
4.4Specifications of Fourth Stage Launch Vehicle
4.5Specifications of Payload Firing
4.6
Differences in PSLV and GSLV
6.1
Payload summary
8
21
29
31
32
33
35
37
41
NOMENCLATURE
CH4
-Methane
Superscripts
D/ H
Abbreviations
HTPB -Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene
MMH- Monomethylhydrazine
MON3 -Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen
ISRO
-Indian Space Research Organisation
PSLV-Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
GSLV- Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
GTO-Geo-synchronous Transfer
LEO- Low Earth Orbit
SIVTC-Secondary Injection Thrust Vector Control
TTC
-Telemetry Tracking and Commanding
BWG
-Beam Wave Guide
UMDH
-Unsymmetrical Dimethyl hydrazine
LAP
-Lyman Alpha Photometer
MSM
-Methane
Sensor for Mars
MENCAMENCA
-Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser
MCC
-Mars Color Camera
TIS
-Thermal Imaging Spectrometer.
TIR -Thermal Infrared
LEOS
-Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems
SAC
-Space Application Centre
VSSC
-Vikram Sarabhai space Centre
FOV
-Field of View
SOI
-sphere of influence
1. INDRODUCTION TO SPACE
1.1 LAWS OF PLANETRY MOTION
Johannes Kepler, a mathematician and astronomer, formulated basic laws of planetary motion based on his
observation
1. Law of Ellipses: The paths of planets in solar system about the sun are elliptical in shape with the
centre of the sun being located at the focus.
2. Law of Equal Areas: The imaginary line from the centre of the sun to the centre of the planets
sweeps out equal areas in equal intervals of time.
3. Laws of harmonies: The ratio of the square of the orbital period of any two planets is equal to the
ratio of the cubes of their average distance from the sun.
The mass and diameter of the planet are shown in this table 1.1
= -- ? 2R sin ? t
F= (? ? 2R cos ? t) 2 + (? ? 2R sin ? t) 2
F= m ? 2 r
This force is directed in the negative R direction. The force is known as centripetal
force and is shown
in Fig.1.2 and the acceleration is called centripetal acceleration = -- ? 2R. A force (pseudo force) acting
equal and opposite to the above centripetal force must be added in order to make the body stationary. The
pseudo force in the rotating frame of reference is called centrifugal force.
10
11
Altitude (h)
Fig.1.4 VARIATION OF ORBITAL VELOCITY WITH HEIGHT
1.3.3 ORBITAL PERIOD
The time period of revolution for one orbit is
=2R / v0
=2(R3/GME)0.5
=0.304106R1.5
From the Fig1.5 it is clearly understood that the period of revolution increases with increase in altitude. The
time period increases about 1.4 hours at a height of 100km to 35.7 hours at height of 50000 km.
At 35,786 km above the earth, the time period for one orbit is 24 hours (one day)
12
= 7.273105 rad/s
If a body is in circular orbit with an angular velocity equal to that of earth and also rotate in the same direction as that
of earth from east to west in counter clockwise direction, its movement is synchronous with the rotation of the earth
and it is said to be in geostationary orbit. It will complete one rotation in a day .the radius of geosynchronous orbit RG
is found by equating the angular velocity
E , from
2
E
With the radius of earth being 6378 km, the geosynchronous altitude would therefore be 42164-6378 =
35786 km above the earth. This can be well understood by the Fig.1.6 if the body is in geostationary orbit it
would appear stationary for the observer at a point.
13
14
An inclination of zero denotes that orbit is in equatorial plane, i.e. orbital plane and equatorial plane
coincide. An inclination of 90o represent the orbit from pole to pole and is called polar orbit. A circular polar
orbit is shown in Fig.1.9
15
Polar orbit is useful for spacecraft that carry mapping of the planet. This is because as the planet rotates, the
spacecraft has to access to every point on the surface of the planet. In the case of polar orbit about the earth,
16
the sun would maintain the same inclination with line joining the earth and the spacecraft on the orbital
plane remain constant. And this orbit is called sun synchronous orbit
1.5.2 TRANSFER ORBIT
Instead of directly sending the spacecraft to geosynchronous orbit, the spacecraft is initially placed in an
elliptical orbit about the earth. This orbit is known as the geosynchronous transfer orbit about the earth and it
is shown in Fig 1.10. The point of the spacecraft closest to earth is called perigee and farthest is apogee. The
apogee of the elliptical orbit so chosen that it is near to the radius of geosynchronous orbit of 42,164 km.
The perigee is 6,630km. The elliptical transfer orbit is circularized to give the geosynchronous orbit.
17
The total energy and velocity requirement to reach particular orbit can be determined by the above equation.
And the variation in total velocity and orbital velocity is shown in Fig 1.11.
Altitude
Fig 1.11 VARIATION OF ORBITTING BODIES AT DIFFERENT ALTITUDE
1.6 ESCAPE VELOCITY
If a body is provided with sufficient velocity to overcome the gravitational attraction, it would reach infinite
radius and escape the attractive force of the planet.
VE= 2GME / RE (DERIVED FROM ENERGY EQUATION)
The value of escape velocity VE=2 V0
The variation of escape velocity with height above the earth is shown in Fig.1.12
18
19
2. OBJECTIVES
proportionally equal to evaporation rate. The evaporation frost deposit at constant temperature in Martian
atmosphere .so Temperature of Martian could be maintained at 0C .The melting point of ice and the frost
would probably disappears by the temperature reaches the melting point
2.1.4 FINDING OF VARIOUS GASES
Checks the presence of neutral gases in its atmosphere. It alsodetects the presence of Hydrogen and
deuterium which are considered as theessential elements which gives the proof about the presence of water
in the pastand may be also gives the detailed history of water presence.The atmosphere of Mars is 100 about
times thinner than earth and the composition of gases is shown in table 2.1
Table 2.1
The composition of gases
Carbon-di-oxide
Argon
Oxygen
95.32%
1.6%
0.13%
Carbon-mono-oxide 0.08 %
And also small amount of water vapour, nitrogen oxide, Neon, Hydrogen, Krypton and Xeon
21
normally no one could have even imagined to occur.NASA has predicted that there is an outside chance that
a newly discovered comet might be on a collision course with Mars. Astronomers determined the trajectory
of the comet, named C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring), but at the very least, it came fairly close to the Red Planet
in October of 2014. The nucleus of the comet is probably 13 km in diameter, and it is approached fast,
around 56 km/s (125,000 mph) speed. If it does hit Mars, then it is likely to deliver as much energy as 35
million megatons of TNT (may be leave a crater about 500 km wide and 2 km deep). For comparison, the
asteroid striked Earth 65 million years ago was about three times as powerful, 100 million megatons. The
Mars comet is packing 80 million times more energy than that relatively puny meteor. Initially, the scientists
were putting the odds of likely impact at 1 in 2000 and subsequently to about 1 in 8,000. However, based on
Apr 7, 2013, data set it has been calculated that the chances of the comet impacting the Red Planet are about
1 in 120,000. This comet which was only discovered on Jan 3, 2013 was posing a major challenge for the
India decision makers. What was at stake was the Indian investments of about US$ 83 million. But now the
recent assessment must have given a breather to Indias mission managers!
. Most comets have presence of methane in their tails. One of the important scientific objectives of the
Indias mission is assessment in regards to methane in Martian atmosphere. Amongst Indias five payloads,
one is the methane sensor for Mars (MSN). There is a good chance that this MSN payload may confuse the
methane it detects from the comet as that of Mars and transmit wrong data. Such data could be misleading.
This knowledge of the likely presence of the comet close to Mars offers a challenge to the ISROs scientific
community and they would have to factor this possibility in their mission planning.
3.8 Overall Mission Intricacies:
Indias mission could be viewed as simple mission in comparison with the most of other
missions launched so far. However, it is important to note that since globally very few missions have
succeeded so far, hence many scientists all over the word are keenly monitored Indian investment in the
Mars project. They felt that there is much to learn from the way India has devised this project and are keenly
looking forward for the information which could be made available.
For ISRO, Mars mission is a technology demonstrator until the craft successfully reached Mars. Hence,
there could be different set of challenges when the mission reached Mars. There would be five different
payloads undertaking various observations. Every payload has a specific role. There exists a possibility
some unknown technological challenges from sensor malfunction to communication breakdown could
emerge at any point in time.
25
4. LAUNCH VEHICLE
4.1 INTRODUCTION TO PSLV
PSLV, is commonly known as polar launch satellite vehicle and it is used for launching the remote sensing
satellites into orbits. The systems are developed by ISRO inertial system unit (IISU)at Thiruvanathapuram.
PSLV is the most successful operational launch vehicle of ISRO. There had been 22 continuously successful
flights of PSLV, till February 2013.As of 2014 the PSLV has launched 71 spacecraft (31 Indian and 40
foreign satellites) into a variety of orbits. PSLV has successfully undertaken Sun-synchronous, Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and low inclination missions in the past. The height of PSLV launch
vehicle is 44.4 metres tall and a weight of 295 tonnes. The capacity of launch vehicle differs, if PSLV is to
launched in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) the capacity will be around 3200 kilograms, if it is to be launched in
Sun- synchronous Orbit (HCO) the capacity will be around 1600 kilograms, if it is to be launched in Geosynchronous Orbit (GTO) the capacity will be around 1400 kilograms. PSLV continues to be the workhouse
of INDIAN REMOTE SENSING satellites especially for Low Earth Orbits(LEO).PSLV has four stages
using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately[Fig.4.1].The vehicle can fly in three different
configurations to adjust for mission requirements. The first stage is solid-fuel rocket booster,the booster
develops a maximum thrust.To perform PSLV launch in standard mode, cluster of six strap-on[Fig.4.2] is
attached to the first stage motor, four of which are ignited on the ground and two are air-lit[Fig.4.3].The
second stage is liquid fuelled while the third stage is a solid rocket motor. The Upper Stage of the PSLV
uses liquid Propellant.
26
Fig.4.1-Configurations of PSLV
4.1.1STAGES OF PSLV
FIRST STAGE
The first stage of the PSLV, is a solid fuelled rocket stage. It is 20.34 meters long and 2.8 meters in
diameter with an empty mass of 30,200 Kilograms. The stage contains 138,000kg of HTPB
(Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) bound propellant at liftoff. PS1 has a vacuum thrust of 4,860
Kilonewton [Table 4.1]
First stage attitude control is provided by a Secondary Injection Thrust Vector Control (SITVC) for
yaw and pitch. For SITVC, Strontium Perchlorate is used as a secondary fluid that is injected from
the side into the Hypersonic Flow in the nozzle, causing a lateral thrust element that is precisely
steered for attitude control. The SITVC fluid is stored in two cylindrical aluminium tanks strapped to
the core stage. The tanks are pressurized with Nitrogen. Roll control is provided by two Roll Control
Thrusters that are mounted radially on opposite sides of the core stage between the Solid Rocket
Boosters.
The first stage burns for 105 sec and is separated at an altitude of 76 KM by a flexible linear shaped
charge. Separation motors are used to ensure the first stage moves away from the second stage before
it ignites.
27
PS1
Inert Mass
30,200kg
Launch Mass
168,200kg
Diameter
2.8m
Length
20.34m
Propellant
Fuel Mass
138,00kg
Propulsion
Thrust (Vacuum)
4,860Kn
Impulse
269s
Burn Time
105sec
Restart Capability
No
28
Attitude Control
Stage Separation
Fig:4.3, PSLV with four strap of which are ignited on the ground and two strap are air-lit
SECOND STAGE
The second stage of the PSLV rocket is 2.8 meters in diameter, 12.8 meters long and has a liftoff mass of
46,000 Kilograms with an empty mass of 5,300 Kilograms. The stage uses Unsymmetrical DiMethylhydrazine / Hydrazine Hydrate as fuel and Nitrogen Tetroxide as oxidizer. It is powered by a single
799-Kilonewton Vikas engine. The engine has a dry weight of 900 Kilograms and operates at a chamber
pressure of 58.5 bar and provides a specific impulse of 294 sec. The second stage burns for 158 seconds
[Table4.2]. Vehicle control during second stage flight is accomplished by gimbaling the main engine up to 4
degrees, and roll control is provided by a Hot Gas Reaction Control Motor. Second stage separation is
accomplished with a merman band system and separation motors [Fig:4.4]
29
Type
PS2
Diameter
2.8m
Length
12.8m
Inert Mass
5,300kg
Launch Mass
46,000kg
Fuel
Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine
Oxidizer
Nitrogen Tetroxide
Propellant Mass
40,700kg
Propulsion
1 Vikas
Thrust
799Kn
Impulse
293s
900kg
Burn Time
158sec
Chamber Pressure
58.5bar
Mixture Ratio
1.7 (Ox/Fuel)
Area Ratio
31
278.04kg/s
Attitude Control
Stage Separation
30
THIRD STAGE
The third stage in PSLV is a solid rocket motor that also uses an HTPB based propellant. The third stage of
the PSLV launcher has a reduced diameter of 2.02 meter and a length of 3.54 meters. It has an empty mass
of 1,100 Kilograms and a liftoff weight of up to 7,800 Kilograms. The stage has a burn time of 112 seconds
during which it generates a thrust of 244 Kilo Newton[Table-4.3].The stage has a Kevlar-polyamide fibre
case and a submerged nozzle equipped with a flex-bearing-seal gimballed nozzle that can be gimballed by
up to 2 degrees for Thrust Vector Control. Roll control is provided by the Reaction Control System of the
fourth stage. The third stage separates at an altitude of 580 Kilometres.[Fig:4.5]
PS3
2.02m
3.54m
1,100kg
7,800kg
Solid - HTTP Based
6,700kg
S-7
244kN
294s
112sec
4th Stage RCS
Ball Lock
31
FOURTH STAGE
The Upper Stage of the PSLV launcher is liquid fuelled using Monomethylhydrazine fuel and Mixed Oxides
of Nitrogen as an oxidizer. The stage is 2.02 meters in diameter and has a length of 2.60 meters with an
empty mass of 920 Kilograms. It contains 2,000 Kilograms of propellant when flying on the regular and XL
configuration and 1,600 Kilograms when flying atop the CA configuration. The fourth stage is powered by
two L-2-5 engines, each producing a thrust of 7.4kN and a specific impulse of 309 sec [Table-4.4]. The
engines can be gimbaled by up to 3 degrees for pitch and yaw control while roll control is provided by the
Reaction Control System. The RCS is also used during coast periods and to re-orient the vehicle for
spacecraft separation. The fourth stage has a variable burn time depending on the mission profile. It can
support burns of up to nine minutes.
The fourth stage also houses the Equipment Bay of the vehicle containing the inertial guidance system and
flight computer (Vikram 1601) as well as telemetry and avionics equipment.[Fig:3.5]
Table. 4.4-Specifications of Fourth Stage Launch Vehicle
Type
PS4
Diameter
2.02m
Length
2.60m
Inert Mass
920kg
Launch Mass
Fuel
Monomethylhydrazine
Oxidizer
2 L-2-5
Total Thrust
14.6Kn
Impulse
308s
Variable, Up to 525sec
Area Ratio
60
Attitude control
Separation
Ball Lock
32
Fig-4.6-Payload
3.2m
Length
8.3m
33
Mass
1,150kg
Separation
4.2 PSLV-XLC25
In case of mangalyaan , extended model PSLV-XL is used. PSLV-XL version is boosted by more powerful,
stretched strap on boosters and allows putting additional 200 kg payload (total 1,800 kg) in space.. The first
version of PSLV-XL had successfully launched Indias first Moon mission called Chandrayaan-1.The
success of Chandrayaan-1 has demonstrated that ISROs existing launch vehicle technology with some
additional modifications is capable of undertaking an unmanned mission to a celestial body. ISRO has the
capability of launching spacecraft to Mars with the existing Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL
c25),[Fig-4.7]which is a proven launcher technology. To launch a spacecraft to Mars, in general, two major
options could be considered: one a fly-by mission, and second, the orbiter missions. Comparatively, the
complicities are more with the orbiter missions. However, an orbiter, in an orbit of very long time period,
offers the opportunity to study Mars for a considerably longer period as compared to a spacecraft in a fly-by
mission. Hence, ISRO went in the favour of planning Mars orbiter capability. It needs to be noted that the
PSLV has few limitations to undertake missions like Mars mission particularly it has very limited weight
weight carrying capability. For November 2013, Mars mission launch the ISRO would be using PSLV-XL, a
novel mission (C-25) design carried out, wherein a spacecraft mass of 1,350 kg would be placed in an
elliptical orbit of 370 km by 80,000 km. This means that the mission would go round the Mars in an
elliptical path closest at 370 km and farthest at 80,000 km. Total five different sensors with a combined
payload of 15 kg would be undertaking various observations.
34
35
Table4.6-Different
Different Stages in PSLV and GSLV
*PSLV is a launch vehicle primarily used for launching satellites in the low earth orbit or the polar orbit. A
version of the PSLV can be used to launch 1 ton plus satellites in the GTO. GSLV is primarily for launching
satellites to the GTO (communication satellites) and can inject a 2 ton satellite into orbit. It is a larger and
more powerful vehicle than the PSLV but had reliability issues
issues which are being worked out.
*The Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft which weighs in at a little over 1300 kg was just tthe heaviest payload
that the PSLV-XL
XL could put into a GTO. While the GSLV could carry more payload and maybe even
provide direct injection capabilities. For a direct injection to reach Mars it requiress more Earths escape
velocity (11.2 km/s). If the GSLV was proven and employed in case of Mangalyaan, it would still have been
a more expensive mission to launch a similar payload because the PSLV has a lower unit
unit-payload cost.
* In the case of the Mars Orbiter Mission,
Mission the trajectory design is frugal. Insteadd of putting the craft directly
on course into a Trans-Martian
Martian Trajectory( called direct injection),
injec
it uses parking
parking orbit
orbit.
36
5.SPACECRAFT
The 1,337-Kilogram spacecraft carried a suite of five instruments to study Mars, its atmosphere and to
acquire photos of the Red Planet. The Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft was largely based on the
Chandrayaan-1 Moon Orbiter featuring the same core structure and spacecraft systems. The Mangalyaan
spacecraft bus is cuboid in shape featuring composite and metallic honeycomb sandwich panels and a
central composite cylinder that facilitates all spacecraft equipment that is mounted on the panels as well as
the cylinder. The spacecraft has a dry mass of 475 Kilograms including a payload mass of 15 Kilograms and
it carried a fuel load of 852 Kilograms.
44.87 Kilograms. The engine operates and an mixture ratio (O/F) of 1.65 and has a nozzle ratio of 160
providing a specific impulse of 3,041N*sec/ kg . The engines injector is a co-axial swirl element made of
titanium while the thrust chamber is constructed of Columbium alloy that is radiatively cooled. Electron
welding technique is used to mate the injector to the combustion chamber. LAM is a robust engine that can
tolerate injection pressures of 0.9 to 2.0 MPa, propellant temperatures of 0 to 65C, mixture ratios of 1.2 to
2.0 and bus voltages of 28 to 42 Volts. The engine is certified for long firings of up to 3,000 seconds and a
cumulative firing time of >23,542 seconds.
38
6. Mission Payloads
The term payload could be defined as the carrying capacity of a spacecraft and this could include cargo,
extra fuel and scientific instruments. These payloads perform the core functions of the satellite.
Over the years, the payload sensors for various satellites have been designed for specific purposes like
photography, meteorological information and reconnaissance.
Optimal selection and specification of satellite payloads is the biggest challenge for satellite mission.
Each payload is designed to perform certain functions over its useful lifetime.
6.1 Complications in selection of payloads
1. Different payload types have different levels of importance
2. Satellite payloads age and deteriorate over time due to the harsh space environment in which they operate
3. All payload launch decisions are subject to various constraints form weight to budget
4. The selected payloads must be assigned certain engineering specifications to ensure their compatibility
with the satellite bus
5. The composition of payload should match with the overall mission objective.
Payloads needs to be decided in such a way that they would help to know more about the structure of the
planet and nature of surface, meteorological conductions in and around the planet, various geological aspects
of the planet, study the surface of the planet and identifying the presence of water.
This being Indias first mission to Mars the real challenge is to reach to such a long distance and then
undertake observations. The main focus of the mission is technological aspect of the travel. The mission also
has a well-developed scientific agenda and five specifically designed payloads have been identified as the
travels for this mission. ISRO had received nearly twenty scientific payload proposals from various Centres
of ISRO and department of space. The basic purpose behind all these payloads has been to address the
science of understanding the Mars atmosphere and its dynamics.
The science objectives of the proposals focus on two major aspects: one, to look at the surface features
like morphology, topography and mineralogy and second, to study the atmospheric reservoir, composition
of gas, dust, ice, clouds and their dynamics. Also, the aim is to know the interaction of atmosphere with
solar radiation and the resultant photochemistry, plasma interactions and loss processes. Most proposals
have a mass budget within 23 kg.
6.2 Payloads
Based on the technical and scientific appreciation of their mission and giving due credit to the
pronounced scientific aims of the mission, finally, five payloads have been selected by ISRO to visit Mars.
For the November 2013 mission, there would be three electro-optical payloads operating in the visible
and thermal infrared spectral ranges, a photometer to sense the Mars atmosphere and surface and a mass
spectrometer. These payloads are as follows:
1. Lyman Alpha Photometer (LAP)
2. Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM)
3. Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA)
4. Mars Color Camera (MCC)
5. Thermal Imaging Spectrometer (TIS).
The list of payloads indicating purpose, mass and objectives are summarised in the Table6.1.
ISRO has an independent Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems called LEOS. This unit of ISRO is
engaged in design, development and production of Electro-Optic sensors and camera optics for satellites and
launch vehicles. The sensors include star trackers, earth sensors, sun sensors and processing electronics.
The Space Application Centre of ISRO has provided the majority of the payloads for this mission. SAC
focuses on the design of space-borne instruments for ISRO missions and development and operationalisation
of applications of space technology for national development.SAC designs and develops all the transponders
for the INSAT and GSAT series of communication satellites and the optical and microwave sensors for IRS
39
payload
Atmospheric
studies
LAP
MSM
MENCA
Plasma
And particle
environmental
studies
Surface
imaging
studies
MCC
TIR
Primary
Mass
objectives
(kg)
It measure D/H 1.5
ratio.
Development
centre
(LEOS)
Bangalore
Measure
Methane in the
martian
atmosphere
with
high
accuracy.
Map
neutral
composition in
exosphere,
martian upper
atmosphere
Optical colour
imaging. It will
take pictures in
red, green and
blue
colours.
The camera will
help
to
understand
Martian
dust
storms
Thermal remote
sensing. It will
map the surface
and
mineral
composition of
Mars.
3.0
(SAC)
Ahmedabad
4.3
(VSSC)Trivandrum
1.4
(SAC)
Ahmedabad
(SAC)
Ahmedabad
Nominal plan to operate LAP is between the ranges of approximately 3,000 km before Mars periapsis to
3,000 km after Mars periapsis. Minimum observation duration for achieving LAPs science goals is 60 min
per orbit during normal range of operation.
Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen and it is believed by many that nearly alldeuterium found in nature
was producedin the Big Bang. So Deuterium is expected to be inabundance over Mars.
6.2.2
.2.2 Methane Sensor for Mars
This payload is a Methane sensor. MSM is designed
d
to measure Methane in the Martian atmosphere with
ppb (parts-per-billion)
billion) accuracy and map its sources. Data is acquired only over illuminated scene as the
sensor measures reflected solar radiation. Methane concentration in the Martian atmosphere undergoes
spatial and temporal
ral variations. Hence, global data are collected during every orbit. Since FOV of MSM is
less, scanning is essential. Seven Apoareion Imaging scans of entire disc and Periareion Imaging are
planned as it scans over the Periareion in every orbit (Fig.6.2).
(Fig.6.2
composition and mineralogy of Mars and also monitor atmospheric CO2 and turbidity. Temperature and
emissivity are the two basic physical parameters estimated from thermal emission measurement. Many
minerals and soil types have characteristic spectra in TIR region. TIS can map surface composition and
mineralogy of Mars (Fig.6.5).
43
44
45
46
However, humans are yet to find the answer for such paradox. We are yet to find a theoretical backing for
why do the laws of physics seem fine-tuned for life? The Mars exploration could help us to understand about
the evolution of Earth. Probably, the study of other planet which has a matching DNA with Earth could help
us to understand more about the origins of volcanoes, earthquakes and weather. All such studies over a
period of time could directly or indirectly benefit humans to address issues related to global
warming/climate change and also forecasting of probable natural disasters.
It is important to note that climate change happens not only because of the factors originating on the Earth
itself like human-specific impacts on the surroundings, but it could also occur because of the external factors
like solar radiation received by the planet, etc. Also, scientists are trying to understand how the variations in
the Earths climate by the changes in the characteristics of the Earths orbit and axial tilt could take place.
Study of current weather changes on Mars with changes in its atmospheric composition both due to on
planet and outside planet factors could help to develop atmospheric models to understand changes in Earth
weather.
Study of the Moons of Mars could help to know more about the asteroids in particular and the formation of
the solar system in general and about the structural strength of asteroids. Maybe a Mars mission could allow
us to reach to a singular conclusion for various queries. All this would help in better understanding of Earth.
There are many unanswered questions like why Earth is the only water-rich planet, was there water available
on other planets too and if so, why did it disappear? Some answers to such question could help us to know
the future of water on the Earth. Also, mission to Mars could assist in knowing more in various arenas form
the planetary geophysics. It is known that Sun has a direct correlation with the weather on the Earth.
However, because of the particular rotation of Earth and Sun at times, it is not possible to study all the
properties of Sun form Earth. Such study could become possible from Mars.
The question is why Mars now? A simple argument could be since more than 50 years have passed as
humans have succeeded in reaching space if not now then when? Humans could be said to have started
trying to understand the secrets of Mars since 1600s with the invention of telescope. In the space era,
attempts have been made since early 1960s to study Mars by sending probes in the vicinity of Mars. This
was happening as a part of the unmanned spacecraft interplanetary exploration programme undertaken by
the erstwhile USSR and the US.
In early years, Mars was found unfriendly to Earths attempts to visit it. More missions have been attempted
to Mars than to any other place in our Solar System (except the Moon), and almost 50 % attempts have
failed. Various initial failures could have happened probably because Mars was the first planet Earth
attempted to explore. These failures have also taught us many lessons and assisted in making few subsequent
missions more successful. But, still space powers are yet to master the art of reaching Mars and some
disappointments have occurred relatively recently. Luckily, some successful missions since 1996 have
provided important data about Mars helping us to better understanding. This is helping a better planning for
future missions.
One of the questions with regard to quest for Mars is that are humans aiming for the mineral deposits on
the Mars? However, it is still premature to answer this question. No definitive information in regard to the
Mars mineralogy is available. However, some studies are available providing the regional surface material
distributions on Mars. There are indications that the soil on the Mars surface could have volcanic origin.
Also, clay minerals that usually form when water is present for long periods of time covering a larger
portion of Mars than previously thought. Mars has a different crust than Earth, and very different atmosphere
and so the minerals over there are expected to be different than that of Earth.
48
Even though in comparative sense probably Mars could be the most habitable planet in our solar system
after the Earth, still the issues related gravity, low temperatures and absence of atmosphere offers various
challenges for a long human stay. Whether life has existed on Mars or not is still an open question. There is
a need to undertake detailed biological experimentation including study of fossils in this regard. Humans are
keen to get the answers with respect to presence of life outside Earth and are ready to make all efforts
towards finding an answer to this. The nature of technological developments witnessed in space area
bestows the confidence that albeit the human mission to Mars may be a difficult proposal but definitely not
an impossible idea. Particularly, in the twenty-first century with few states already having acquired some
amount of a success in knowing more about Mars, it is worth pushing the envelope further up. Overall
conquering the Red Planet appears to be worth the risk.
Based on the overall debate in regard to various aspects of Mars agenda, the reasons for various states opting
for the Mars mission could be identified as
(1) Fascination for the Red Planet, to know what it there, if life ever existed
49
REFERENCE
Rocket propulsion by ramamurthi
Space environment and its effect on space system,aiaaa education series
Foot R, Walter A. China, the United States and Global Order, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge;
2011
Anderson I. Model atmospheres show signs of life, New Scientist, Jan 7, 1988, p. 41.
Launius RD. Frontiers of Space Exploration. London: Greenwood Press; 1998. p. 56.
Sadeh E, editor. Politics of space. London: Routledge; 2011. p. 3.
Sarathi VP. Ancient Indian mathematics and Astronomy.
http://www.indicstudies.us/Astronomy/aimword.pdf.
Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA). http://www.iucaa.ernet.in/Mission.html.
http://www.astron-soc.in/index.html.
http://www.prl.res.in/..
http://www.iist.ac.in/
http://mars.nasa.gov/programmissions/missions/missiontypes/orbiters/http://www.isro.org/mars.aspx
http://www.astrodigital.org/mars/whymars.html
50
51