India’s inaugural mission to Mars, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan, was launched in November 2013. It successfully entered Mars’ orbit in September 2014, marking eight years of contributions to Martian research.
Highlights
- India’s Mars exploration to include a helicopter mission.
- Aiming to send a lander with a helicopter to explore Martian boundaries.
- Mission to conduct high-resolution vertical profiling.
Washington/New Delhi
In a significant move, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is contemplating sending a helicopter as part of its next Mars mission, drawing inspiration from NASA’s Ingenuity drone. The ambitious project is currently under development at ISRO, where plans are being formulated to deploy a lander with a helicopter to explore the Martian atmosphere.
Scientist Jaydev Pradeep recently shared details about ISRO’s mission. The Indian space agency is gearing up to send a lander with a helicopter to Mars after landing. Similar to NASA’s Ingenuity quadcopter, this helicopter is expected to conduct exploratory flights up to 100 meters above the Martian surface.
ISRO’s Martian Helicopter – What to Expect
The helicopter, designed for aerial reconnaissance in Mars’ atmosphere, will be equipped with various instruments such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, wind speed sensors, electric field sensors, traces, and dust sensors. The helicopter’s operational capabilities are currently under consideration, and it aims to provide essential data for creating a topographic profile of Mars’ atmosphere.
Mission Objectives and Significance
ISRO’s helicopter mission on Mars, inspired by NASA’s Ingenuity, plans to cover a distance of up to 18 kilometers during its three-year mission. This helicopter will serve as a vital tool in understanding Mars’ weather patterns and historical climate, contributing crucial data for future exploration missions.
The mission, named the Martian Boundary Layer Explorer (MARBLE), is expected to provide valuable insights into the atmospheric conditions and wind patterns on Mars. This information is vital for predicting future conditions and planning upcoming exploration missions.
ISRO’s Legacy in Martian Exploration
Before delving into Martian helicopter missions, ISRO made history in 2013 with the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). Launched on November 5, 2013, via PSLV-C25, MOM marked India’s first interplanetary mission and successfully entered Mars’ orbit, making India the fourth space agency globally to reach the Red Planet.
ISRO’s continuous efforts in Martian exploration showcase its commitment to advancing space science and technology. With the upcoming Martian helicopter mission, India aims to further enhance its understanding of Mars and contribute valuable data to the global scientific community.
Note: Image is an artist’s rendering and may not represent the actual Mars helicopter for ISRO’s mission.