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Everything You Need to Know About Mangalyaan-2

India’s Ambitious Journey to Mars

Everything You Need to Know About Mangalyaan-2

  • 24 May, 2024
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What is Mangalyaan-2?

Mangalyaan-2 represents India's ambitious space mission with the goal of landing a rover and a helicopter on Mars. Following the successful orbit insertion of Mangalyaan-1, this mission marks India's inaugural attempt to land on the Martian surface.

Previous Successful Landings on Mars

Before India's endeavor, only the United States and China have successfully landed on Mars. These missions included the deployment of rovers and, in the case of the U.S., a helicopter that operated on the Martian surface.

Key Components of the Mangalyaan-2 Mission

The mission encompasses several essential components:

  • Rover: Designed with advanced technology for navigation and scientific experiments.
  • Helicopter: Built to fly in the thin Martian atmosphere, equipped with instruments for studying the Martian boundary layer.
  • Relay Satellite: This will facilitate continuous communication between Mars explorers and Earth.

Deployment of the Rover and Helicopter

The rover will be deployed using a sky crane mechanism, similar to the method employed by NASA's Perseverance rover. This allows for precise and safe landings on the Martian terrain. The helicopter, specifically engineered for the Martian atmosphere, will conduct short flights to fulfill scientific objectives.

Launch Vehicle for Mangalyaan-2

The mission will be launched aboard the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3), which is ISRO's most powerful rocket to date. This launch vehicle is designed to accommodate heavier payloads and more complex missions.

Scientific Objectives of Mangalyaan-2

Mangalyaan-2 aims to perform in-depth analysis of the Martian surface and atmosphere. Specific objectives include geological assessments, atmospheric studies, and potentially searching for signs of past life. The helicopter will play a crucial role in gathering data from locations that may be unreachable by the rover.

Significance of the Mission for India

This mission signifies a monumental step for ISRO and India's capabilities in space exploration. It showcases India's advancements in space technology and sets the foundation for future interplanetary missions. India's successful reach to Mars on its first attempt has established it as a prominent player in the global space arena, and this mission aims to enhance that reputation.

Challenges Faced by the Mission

The challenges associated with this mission are considerable. They involve precise maneuvers in the Martian orbit, ensuring a safe landing via the sky crane, and the effective operation of a helicopter in the thin Martian atmosphere. Additionally, maintaining constant communication through the relay satellite adds another layer of complexity to the mission.

Conclusion

This mission marks a crucial phase in India's space exploration journey, underscoring its technological advancements and scientific curiosity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the primary goal of Mangalyaan-2?
Answer: The primary goal of Mangalyaan-2 is to land a rover and a helicopter on Mars, enabling in-depth scientific studies of the Martian surface and atmosphere.

Q2. Which countries have previously landed on Mars?
Answer: Before India, only the United States and China successfully landed on Mars, conducting various missions involving rovers and helicopters.

Q3. What is the significance of the helicopter in the mission?
Answer: The helicopter will conduct short flights to gather data from areas inaccessible to the rover, enhancing the mission's scientific objectives.

Q4. How will the rover be landed on Mars?
Answer: The rover will be deployed using a sky crane mechanism, allowing for a precise and safe landing on the Martian surface.

Q5. What challenges does Mangalyaan-2 face?
Answer: Challenges include precise maneuvers in Martian orbit, safe landing techniques, helicopter operation in thin atmosphere, and maintaining consistent communication.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is Mangalyaan-2's primary objective?
A) To orbit Mars
B) To land a rover and helicopter on Mars
C) To collect samples from Mars
D) To establish a base on Mars
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which rocket will launch Mangalyaan-2?
A) PSLV
B) LVM3
C) GSLV Mk II
D) Falcon 9
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: Which countries have successfully landed on Mars before India?
A) Russia and Japan
B) USA and China
C) India and Japan
D) USA and France
Correct Answer: B

Question 4: What technology will be used for the rover's landing?
A) Parachute system
B) Sky crane mechanism
C) Balloon system
D) Direct descent
Correct Answer: B

Question 5: What is one of the scientific objectives of Mangalyaan-2?
A) Building a Martian colony
B) Geological assessments
C) Sending humans to Mars
D) Establishing communication with aliens
Correct Answer: B

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