Mangalyaan-2: Exploring Mars with ISRO's Innovative Mission

ISRO's Mangalyaan-2 Mission Overview

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is on the brink of an exciting venture with its second Mars mission, Mangalyaan-2. This mission aims to establish India as the third country to successfully land a spacecraft on another planet. Recent presentations at the Space Application Centre highlighted the mission's features and objectives.

Key Features of Mangalyaan-2

• Rover and Helicopter Combination:
  - Mangalyaan-2 will include a rover and helicopter, similar to NASA's Perseverance rover. - The rover will utilize a sky-crane system, a technology developed by NASA for precise landings.
• Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle:
  - The mission will be launched using the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3), recognized for its heavy-lift capabilities.
• Sky-Crane System:
  - This innovative system ensures that the rover lands upright, ready to commence its mission even on challenging Martian terrain.
• Mars Helicopter:
  - Engineers are conceptualizing a helicopter that can function in Mars' thin atmosphere. - This helicopter will carry the Martian Boundary Layer Explorer (Marble) for aerial exploration and atmospheric profiling.
• Relay Communication Satellite:
  - To ensure constant communication with Earth, ISRO plans to deploy a relay communication satellite prior to the mission. - This satellite will be launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), facilitating uninterrupted communication between Mars and Earth.

Communication Challenges

One of the significant challenges in Mars exploration is signal travel time. The time taken for signals to travel between Mars and Earth can vary:

• During opposition (when Mars is closest to Earth), signals can take between 3 to 22 minutes one way.
• During conjunction (when Mars is on the opposite side of the Sun), signals may take 6 to 44 minutes one way.

ISRO's ambitious Mangalyaan-2 mission represents a remarkable leap forward in India's commitment to space exploration. With its innovative technology and strategic planning, India is on its way to joining the elite group of nations capable of successful planetary landings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is Mangalyaan-2?
Answer: Mangalyaan-2 is ISRO's second Mars mission aimed at landing a spacecraft on Mars, enhancing India's capabilities in space exploration.

Q2. What technologies will Mangalyaan-2 use?
Answer: The mission will feature a rover, a helicopter, and utilize a sky-crane system for landing, along with advanced communication satellites.

Q3. How will signals communicate between Mars and Earth?
Answer: Signals can take 3 to 22 minutes one way during opposition and 6 to 44 minutes during conjunction, affecting communication efficiency.

Q4. What is the Launch Vehicle Mark-III?
Answer: The Launch Vehicle Mark-III is ISRO's heavy-lift rocket designed to carry payloads into space, including the Mangalyaan-2 mission components.

Q5. What role does the Mars helicopter play in the mission?
Answer: The Mars helicopter will assist in aerial exploration and atmospheric profiling, crucial for understanding Mars' environment.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the primary objective of Mangalyaan-2?
A) To study Mars' atmosphere
B) To land a rover on Mars
C) To establish a satellite network
D) To collect Martian soil samples
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which vehicle will launch Mangalyaan-2?
A) PSLV
B) GSLV
C) LVM3
D) Ariane 5
Correct Answer: C

Question 3: What is the name of the helicopter in Mangalyaan-2?
A) Mariner
B) Marble
C) Sojourner
D) Curiosity
Correct Answer: B

Question 4: How long can signal travel times be during conjunction?
A) 1-5 minutes
B) 3-22 minutes
C) 6-44 minutes
D) 10-30 minutes
Correct Answer: C

Question 5: What technology ensures the rover lands safely on Mars?
A) Parachute system
B) Sky-crane system
C) Retrorockets
D) Airbag system
Correct Answer: B