ISRO's Mangalyaan-2: A New Dawn in Mars Exploration

ISRO's Mangalyaan-2: A New Dawn in Mars Exploration

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is making significant advancements with its second Mars mission, Mangalyaan-2. This initiative aims to establish India as the third country to successfully land a spacecraft on another planet.

Key Features of Mangalyaan-2

• Rover and Helicopter Combination:
    - Mangalyaan-2 will include both a rover and a helicopter, similar to NASA's Perseverance rover.
    - The rover will be deployed using a sky-crane system, a technology meticulously developed by NASA to ensure controlled and precise landings.
• Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle:
    - The mission is set to launch aboard the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3), recognized for its heavy-lift capabilities.
• Sky-Crane System:
    - This innovative system is designed to ensure that the rover lands upright, ready to commence its mission amidst the challenging Martian terrain.
• Mars Helicopter:
    - Engineers are developing a helicopter capable of operating in Mars' thin atmosphere.
    - This helicopter, currently in the conceptual phase, will carry the Martian Boundary Layer Explorer (Marble) for aerial exploration and atmospheric profiling.
• Relay Communication Satellite:
    - To facilitate communication with Earth, ISRO plans to launch a relay communication satellite prior to the mission.
    - This satellite will be deployed using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to ensure constant communication between Mars and Earth.

Communication Challenges

• Signal Travel Time:
    - The signal travel time between Mars and Earth varies significantly, ranging from 3 to 22 minutes one way during opposition, when Mars is closest to Earth.
    - Conversely, during conjunction, when Mars is on the opposite side of the Sun, signals may take between 6 to 44 minutes one way.

ISRO's ambitious Mangalyaan-2 mission represents a pivotal step forward in India's space exploration efforts, aiming to join the elite group of nations capable of successful planetary landings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the purpose of Mangalyaan-2?
Answer: Mangalyaan-2 aims to explore Mars through a rover and helicopter, enhancing India's capabilities in planetary exploration and science.

Q2. How will the rover be deployed on Mars?
Answer: The rover will be deployed using a sky-crane system, ensuring a controlled and precise landing on the Martian surface.

Q3. What challenges does ISRO face with communication during the Mangalyaan-2 mission?
Answer: ISRO faces signal travel time challenges, with delays ranging from 3 to 44 minutes depending on the positions of Mars and Earth.

Q4. What technology will be used to launch Mangalyaan-2?
Answer: The mission will be launched using the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3), known for its heavy-lift capabilities.

Q5. What is the role of the Mars helicopter in this mission?
Answer: The Mars helicopter will be designed for aerial exploration and will carry the Martian Boundary Layer Explorer (Marble) for atmospheric profiling.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the main goal of Mangalyaan-2?
A) To conduct a lunar mission
B) To explore Mars with a rover and helicopter
C) To send astronauts to Mars
D) To establish a space station on Mars
Correct Answer: B

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

Question 3: What technology will be used for the rover's landing on Mars?
A) Parachute system
B) Sky-crane system
C) Airbag landing
D) Direct descent
Correct Answer: B

Question 4: What is the purpose of the relay communication satellite in Mangalyaan-2?
A) To explore Mars' surface
B) To maintain communication with Earth
C) To carry scientific instruments
D) To deploy the rover
Correct Answer: B

Question 5: What does the Mars helicopter carry for exploration?
A) Cameras
B) Marble
C) Scientific instruments
D) Samples from Mars
Correct Answer: B