Mars Orbiter Mission
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This article is about the Indian Mars probe. For other Mars orbiters, see List of missions to
Mars.
Mars Orbiter Mission
Artist's rendering of the MOM orbiting Mars
Mission type Mars orbiter
Operator ISRO
COSPAR ID 2013-060A
SATCAT 39370
Website isro.org/pslv-c25-mars-orbiter-mission
Mission duration Planned: 6 months[1]
Extension: 6 months[2]
Elapsed: 1 year, 4 months and 16 days
Spacecraft properties
Bus I-1K[3]
Manufacturer ISAC
Launch mass 1,337 kg (2,948 lb)[3]
BOL mass 550 kg (1,210 lb)[4]
Dry mass 500 kg (1,100 lb)
Payload mass 15 kg (33 lb)[5]
Dimensions 1.5 m (4.9 ft) cube
Power 840 watts[3]
Start of mission
Launch date 5 November 2013, 09:08 UTC[6]
Rocket PSLV-XL C25[7]
Launch site Satish Dhawan FLP
Contractor ISRO
Orbital parameters
Reference system Areocentric
Periareon 421.7 km (262.0 mi)[8]
Apoareon 76,993.6 km (47,841.6 mi)[8]
Inclination 150.0 [8]
Period 72 hours, 51 minutes, 51 seconds[8]
Epoch Planned
Mars orbiter
Orbital insertion 24 September 2014, 02:00 UTC
MSD 50027 06:27 AMT[9]
The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also called Mangalyaan ("Mars-craft",
from Sanskrit: mangala, "Mars" and yna, "craft, vehicle"),[10][11] is a space
probe orbiting Mars since 24 September 2014. It was launched on 5 November 2013 by
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).[12][13][14][15] It is India's first interplanetary
mission[16] and ISRO has become the fourth space agency to reach Mars, after theSoviet
space program, NASA, and the European Space Agency.[17][18] It is the first Asian nation to
reach Mars orbit, and the first nation in the world to do so in its first attempt.[19][20][21][22]
The Mars Orbiter Mission probe lifted-off from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space
Centre (Sriharikota Range SHAR), Andhra Pradesh, using a Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle (PSLV) rocket C25 at 09:08 UTC on 5 November 2013.[23] The launch window was
approximately 20 days long and started on 28 October 2013.[6] The MOM probe spent about
a month in Earth orbit, where it made a series of seven apogee-raising orbital
manoeuvres before trans-Mars injection on 30 November 2013 (UTC).[24] After a 298-day
transit to Mars, it was successfully inserted into Mars orbit on 24 September 2014.
The mission is a "technology demonstrator" project to develop the technologies for designing,
planning, management, and operations of an interplanetary mission.[25] It carries five
instruments that will help advance knowledge about Mars to achieve its secondary, scientific
objective.[26] The spacecraft is currently being monitored from the Spacecraft Control Centre
at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network(ISTRAC) in Bangalore with support
from Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) antennae at Byalalu.[27]
Contents
[hide]
1History
o 1.1Cost
2Mission objectives
o 2.1Primary objectives
o 2.2Scientific objectives
3Spacecraft specifications
4Payload
5Telemetry and command
o 5.1Communications
6Mission profile
o 6.1Launch
o 6.2Orbit raising manoeuvres
o 6.3Trans-Mars injection
o 6.4Trajectory correction manoeuvres
o 6.5Mars orbit insertion
7Status
8Awards
9Follow-up mission
10See also
11References
12External links
History[edit]
On 23 November 2008, the first public acknowledgement of an unmanned mission to Mars
was announced by then-ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair.[28] The MOM mission concept
began with a feasibility study in 2010 by the Indian Institute of Space Science and
Technology after the launch of lunar satellite Chandrayaan-1 in 2008. The government of
India approved the project on 3 August 2012,[29] after the Indian Space Research
Organisation completed 125 crore (US$18 million) of required studies for the orbiter.[30] The
total project cost may be up to 454 crore (US$67 million).[12][31] The satellite
costs 153 crore(US$23 million) and the rest of the budget has been attributed to ground
stations and relay upgrades that will be used for other ISRO projects.[32]
The space agency had planned the launch on 28 October 2013 but was postponed to 5
November 2013 following the delay in ISRO's spacecraft tracking ships to take up pre-
determined positions due to poor weather in the Pacific Ocean.[6] Launch opportunities for a
fuel-saving Hohmann transfer orbit occur every 26 months, in this case, 2016 and 2018.[33]
Assembly of the PSLV-XL launch vehicle, designated C25, started on 5 August 2013.[34] The
mounting of the five scientific instruments was completed at Indian Space Research
Organisation Satellite Centre,Bangalore, and the finished spacecraft was shipped to
Sriharikota on 2 October 2013 for integration to the PSLV-XL launch vehicle.[34] The satellite's
development was fast-tracked and completed in a record 15 months.[35] Despite the US
federal government shutdown, NASA reaffirmed on 5 October 2013 it would provide
communications and navigation support to the mission.[36] During a meeting on 30 September
2014, NASA and ISRO officials signed an agreement to establish a pathway for future joint
missions to explore Mars. One of the working group's objectives will be to explore potential
coordinated observations and science analysis between the MAVEN orbiter and MOM, as
well as other current and future Mars missions.[37]
Cost[edit]
The total cost of the mission was approximately 450 Crore (US$73 million),[38][39] making it
the least-expensive Mars mission to date.[40] The low cost of the mission was ascribed by K.
Radhakrishnan, the chairman of ISRO, to various factors, including a "modular approach",
few ground tests and long (18-20 hour) working days for scientists.[41] BBC's Jonathan Amos
mentioned lower worker costs, home-grown technologies, simpler design, and significantly
less complicated payload than NASA's MAVEN.[26]
Mission objectives[edit]
The primary objective of the Mars Orbiter Mission is to showcase India's rocket launch
systems, spacecraft building and operations capabilities.[42] Specifically, the primary objective
is to develop the technologies required for designing, planning, management and operations
of an interplanetary mission.[25] The secondary objective is to explore Mars' surface
features, morphology, mineralogy and Martian atmosphere using indigenous scientific
instruments.[42]
Primary objectives[edit]
The main objectives are to develop the technologies required for designing, planning,
management and operations of an interplanetary mission comprising the following major
tasks:[43]:42
Orbit manoeuvres to transfer the spacecraft from Earth-centred orbit to heliocentric
trajectory and finally, capture into Martian orbit
Development of force models and algorithms for orbit and attitude computations and
analyses
Navigation in all phases
Maintain the spacecraft in all phases of the mission
Meeting power, communications, thermal and payload operation requirements
Incorporate autonomous features to handle contingency situations
Scientific objectives[edit]
The scientific objectives deal with the following major aspects:[43]:43
Exploration of Mars surface features by studying the morphology, topography and
mineralogy
Study the constituents of Martian atmosphere including methane and CO2 using remote
sensing techniques
Study the dynamics of the upper atmosphere of Mars, effects of solar wind and radiation
and the escape of volatiles to outer space
The mission would also provide multiple opportunities to observe the Martian
moon Phobos and also offer an opportunity to identify and re-estimate the orbits of asteroids
seen during the Martian Transfer Trajectory.[43]:43
Spacecraft specifications[edit]
Mass: The lift-off mass was 1,350 kg (2,980 lb), including 852 kg (1,878 lb) of
propellant.[3]
Bus: The spacecraft's bus is a modified I-1 K structure and propulsion hardware
configuration, similar to Chandrayaan-1, India's lunar orbiter that operated from 2008 to
2009, with specific improvements and upgrades needed for a Mars mission.[42] The
satellite structure is constructed of an aluminium and composite fibre reinforced plastic
(CFRP) sandwich construction.
Power: Electric power is generated by three solar array panels of 1.8 m 1.4 m (5 ft
11 in 4 ft 7 in) each (7.56 m2 (81.4 sq ft) total), for a maximum of 840 watts of power
generation in Mars orbit. Electricity is stored in a 36 Ah Lithium-ion battery.[3]
Propulsion: A liquid fuel engine with a thrust of 440 newtons is used for orbit raising and
insertion into Mars orbit. The orbiter also has eight 22-newton thrusters for attitude
control.[44] Its propellant mass is 852 kg (1,878 lb).[3]
Payload[edit]
Scientific instruments
LAP Lyman-Alpha Photometer 1.97 kg (4.3 lb)
MSM Methane Sensor for Mars 2.94 kg (6.5 lb)
Mars Exospheric Neutral
MENCA 3.56 kg (7.8 lb)
Composition Analyser
TIS Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer 3.20 kg (7.1 lb)
MCC Mars Colour Camera 1.27 kg (2.8 lb)
The 15 kg (33 lb) scientific payload consists of five instruments:[5][45][46]
Atmospheric studies:
Lyman-Alpha Photometer (LAP) a photometer that measures the relative
abundance of deuterium and hydrogen from Lyman-alpha emissions in the upper
atmosphere. Measuring the deuterium/hydrogen ratio will allow an estimation of the
amount of water loss to outer space. The nominal plan to operate LAP is between
the ranges of approximately 3,000 km (1,900 mi) before and after Mars periapsis.
Minimum observation duration for achieving LAP's science goals is 60 minutes per
orbit during normal range of operation. The objectives of this instrument are as
follows:[43]:56,57
Estimation of D/H ratio
Estimation of escape flux of H2 corona
Generation of hydrogen and deuterium coronal profiles.
Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM) will measure methane in the atmosphere of Mars,
if any, and map its sources.[5] MSM is designed to measure methane (CH4) in the
Martian atmosphere with parts-per-billion (ppb) accuracy and map its sources. Data
is acquired only over illuminated areas as the sensor measures reflected solar
radiation. Methane concentration in the Martian atmosphere undergoes spatial and
temporal variations. Hence, global data are collected during every orbit. Since the
field of view of MSM is limited, scanning is essential. Seven Apoareion Imaging
scans of the entire disc, and Periareion Imaging are planned as it scans over the
periareion in every orbit.[43]:57
Particle environment studies:
Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA) is a quadrupole mass
analyser capable of analysing the neutral composition of particles in the range of 1
300 amu (atomic mass unit) with unit mass resolution. The heritage of this payload is
from Chandra's Altitudinal Composition Explorer (CHANCE) payload aboard the
Moon Impact Probe (MIP) in Chandrayaan-1 mission. MENCA is planned to perform
five observations per orbit with one hour per observation.[43]:58
Surface imaging studies:
Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS) TIS measures the thermal emission
and can be operated during both day and night. It would map surface composition
and mineralogy of Mars and also monitor atmospheric CO2 and turbidity (required for
the correction of MSM data). 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.[43]:59
Mars Colour Camera (MCC) This tricolour camera gives images and information
about the surface features and composition of Martian surface. It is useful to monitor
the dynamic events and weather of Mars like dust storms/atmospheric turbidity. MCC
will also be used for probing the two satellites of Mars, Phobos and Deimos. MCC
would provide context information for other science payloads. MCC images are to be
acquired whenever MSM and TIS data is acquired. Seven Apoareion Imaging of the
entire disc and multiple Periareion images of 540 km 540 km (340 mi 340 mi) are
planned in every orbit.[43]:58
Telemetry and command[edit]
Further information: Telemetry and Telecommand
The Indian Space Research Organisation Telemetry, Tracking and Command
Network performed navigation and tracking operations for the launch with ground stations
at Sriharikota, Port Blair, Brunei and Biak in Indonesia,[47] and after the
spacecraft's apogeebecame more than 100,000 km, an 18 m (59 ft) and a 32 m (105 ft)
diameter antenna of the Indian Deep Space Network were utilised.[48] The 18 m (59 ft) dish
antenna was used for communication with the craft until April 2014, after which the larger
32 m (105 ft) antenna was used.[49] NASA's Deep Space Network is providing position data
through its three stations located in Canberra, Madrid and Goldstone on the US West Coast
during the non-visible period of ISRO's network.[50] The South African National Space
Agency's (SANSA) Hartebeesthoek (HBK) ground station is also providing satellite tracking,
telemetry and command services.[51]
Communications[edit]
Communications are handled by two 230-watt TWTAs and two coherent transponders. The
antenna array consists of a low-gain antenna, a medium-gain antenna and a high-gain
antenna. The high-gain antenna system is based on a single 2.2-metre (7 ft 3 in) reflector
illuminated by a feed at S-band. It is used to transmit and receive the telemetry, tracking,
commanding and data to and from the Indian Deep Space Network.[3]
Mission profile[edit]
Timeline of Operations
Referenc
Phase Date Event Detail Result
es
5
Novemb Burn time:
Apogee: 23,550 km [52]
er 2013 Launch 15:35 min
(14,630 mi)
09:08 in 5 stages
UTC
6
Novemb
Orbit raising Burn time: Apogee: 28,825 km [53]
er 2013
manoeuvre 416 sec (17,911 mi)
19:47
UTC
Geocentric phas 7
e Novemb
Orbit raising Burn time: Apogee: 40,186 km [54][55]
er 2013
manoeuvre 570.6 sec (24,970 mi)
20:48
UTC
8
Novemb
Orbit raising Burn time: Apogee: 71,636 km [54][56]
er 2013
manoeuvre 707 sec (44,513 mi)
20:40
UTC
10 Orbit raising Incomplet Apogee: 78,276 km [57]
Novemb manoeuvre e burn (48,638 mi)
er 2013
20:36
UTC
11
Orbit raising
Novemb
manoeuvre Burn time: Apogee: 118,642 km [54]
er 2013
(supplementar 303.8 sec (73,721 mi)
23:33
y)
UTC
15
Novemb
Orbit raising Burn time: Apogee: 192,874 km [54][58]
er 2013
manoeuvre 243.5 sec (119,846 mi)
19:57
UTC
30
Novemb Burn time:
Trans-Mars Successful heliocentric inser [59]
er 2013, 1328.89
injection tion
19:19 sec
UTC
En route to Mars The probe travelled a distance of
Decembe
780,000,000 kilometres (480,000,000 mi) in a Hohmann
r 2013 [60][61][62][63][6
transfer orbit[33] around the Sun to reach Mars.[49] This 4]
Septemb
phase plan included up to four trajectory corrections if
er 2014
needed.
11
Decembe
1st Trajectory Burn time: [54][62][63][64]
r 2013 Success
correction 40.5 sec
01:00
UTC
Heliocentric ph
ase
2nd
9 April Trajectory Not Rescheduled for 11 June [61][64][65][66][6
7]
2014 correction required 2014
(planned)
11 June
2nd
2014 Burn time: [65][68]
Trajectory Success
11:00 16 sec
correction
UTC
[61][64]
3rd Trajectory Not
August
correction required[65][
69]
2014 (planned)
22
3rd Trajectory Burn time: [61][64][70]
Septemb Success
correction 4 sec
er 2014
24 Burn time:
Areocentric pha Mars orbit [8]
Septemb 1388.67 Success
se insertion
er 2014 sec
Launch[edit]
As originally conceived, ISRO was to launch MOM on its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch
Vehicle (GSLV),[71] but as the GSLV failed twice in 2010 and ISRO was continuing to sort out
issues with its cryogenic engine,[72] it was not advisable to wait for the new batch of rockets as
that would have delayed the MOM project for at least three years.[73] ISRO opted to switch to
the less-powerful Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Since the PSLV was not powerful
enough to place MOM on a direct-to-Mars trajectory, the spacecraft was launched into a
highly elliptical Earth orbit and used its own thrusters over multiple perigee burns (to take
advantage of the Oberth effect) to place itself on a trans-Mars trajectory.[71]
On 19 October 2013, ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan announced that the launch had to be
postponed by a week as a result of a delay of a crucial telemetry ship reaching Fiji. The
launch was rescheduled for 5 November 2013.[6] ISRO's PSLV-XL placed the satellite into
Earth orbit at 09:50 UTC on 5 November 2013,[30] with a perigee of 264.1 km (164.1 mi), an
apogee of 23,903.6 km (14,853.0 mi), and inclination of 19.20 degrees,[52] with both the
antenna and all three sections of the solar panel arrays deployed.[74]During the first three orbit
raising operations, ISRO progressively tested the spacecraft systems.[58]
The orbiter's dry mass is 500 kg (1,100 lb), and it carried 852 kg (1,878 lb) of fuel and
oxidiser at launch. Its main engine, which is a derivative of the system used on India's
communications satellites, uses the bipropellant
combination monomethylhydrazine anddinitrogen tetroxide to achieve the thrust necessary
for escape velocity from Earth. It was also used to slow down the probe for Mars orbit
insertion and, subsequently, for orbit corrections.
Orbit raising manoeuvres[edit]
Orbit trajectory diagram (not to scale).
Several orbit raising operations were conducted from the Spacecraft Control Centre (SCC) at
ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Peenya, Bangalore on 6, 7,
8, 10, 12 and 16 November by using the spacecraft's on-board propulsion system and a
series of perigee burns. The aim was to gradually build up the necessary escape velocity of
11.2 km/s (7.0 mi/s) to break free from Earth's gravitational pull while minimising propellant
use. The first three of the five planned orbit raising manoeuvres were completed with nominal
results, while the fourth was only partially successful. However, a subsequent supplementary
manoeuvre raised the orbit to the intended altitude aimed for in the original fourth
manoeuvre. A total of six burns were completed while the spacecraft remained in Earth orbit,
with a seventh burn conducted on 30 November to insert MOM into a heliocentric orbit for its
transit to Mars.
The first orbit-raising manoeuvre was performed on 6 November 2013 at 19:47 UTC when
the spacecraft's 440-newton (99 lbf) liquid engine was fired for 416 seconds. With this engine
firing, the spacecraft'sapogee was raised to 28,825 km (17,911 mi), with a perigee of 252 km
(157 mi).[53]
The second orbit raising manoeuvre was performed on 7 November 2013 at 20:48 UTC, with
a burn time of 570.6 seconds resulting in an apogee of 40,186 km (24,970 mi).[54][55]
The third orbit raising manoeuvre was performed on 8 November 2013 at 20:40 UTC, with a
burn time of 707 seconds resulting in an apogee of 71,636 km (44,513 mi).[54][56]
The fourth orbit raising manoeuvre, starting at 20:36 UTC on 10 November 2013, imparted
an incremental velocity of 35 m/s (110 ft/s) to the spacecraft instead of the planned 135 m/s
(440 ft/s) as a result of underburn by the motor.[57][75] Because of this, the apogee was boosted
to 78,276 km (48,638 mi) instead of the planned 100,000 km (62,000 mi).[57] When testing the
redundancies built-in for the propulsion system, the flow to the liquid engine stopped, with
consequent reduction in incremental velocity. During the fourth orbit burn, the primary and
redundant coils of the solenoid flow control valve of 440 newton liquid engine and logic for
thrust augmentation by the attitude control thrusters were being tested. When both primary
and redundant coils were energised together during the planned modes, the flow to the liquid
engine stopped. Operating both the coils simultaneously is not possible for future operations,
however they could be operated independently of each other, in sequence.[58]
As a result of the fourth planned burn coming up short, an additional unscheduled burn was
performed on 12 November 2013 that increased the apogee to 118,642 km
(73,721 mi),[54][58] a slightly higher altitude than originally intended in the fourth
manoeuvre.[54][76] The apogee was raised to 192,874 km (119,846 mi) on 15 November 2013,
19:57 UTC in the final orbit raising manoeuvre.[54][76]
Trans-Mars injection[edit]
Further information: Trans-Mars injection
On 30 November 2013 at 19:19 UTC, a 23-minute engine firing initiated the transfer of MOM
away from Earth orbit and on heliocentric trajectory toward Mars.[24] The probe travelled a
distance of 780,000,000 kilometres (480,000,000 mi) to reach Mars.[77]
Trajectory correction manoeuvres[edit]
Four trajectory corrections were originally planned, but only three were carried out.[61] The first
trajectory correction manoeuvre (TCM) was carried out on 11 December 2013 at 01:00 UTC
by firing the 22-newton (4.9 lbf) thrusters for a duration of 40.5 seconds.[54]After this event,
MOM was following the designed trajectory so closely that the trajectory correction
manoeuvre planned in April 2014 was not required. The second trajectory correction
manoeuvre was performed on 11 June 2014 at 11:00 UTC by firing the spacecraft's 22
newton thrusters for a duration of 16 seconds.[78] The third planned trajectory correction
manoeuvre was postponed, due to the orbiter's trajectory closely matching the planned
trajectory.[79] The third trajectory correction was also a deceleration test 3.9 seconds long on
22 September 2014.[70]
Mars orbit insertion[edit]
The plan was for an insertion into Mars orbit on 24 September 2014,[9][80] approximately 2
days after the arrival of NASA's MAVEN orbiter.[81] The 440-newton liquid apogee motor was
successfully test fired on 22 September at 09:00 UTC for 3.968 seconds, about 41 hours
before actual orbit insertion.[80][82][83]
Date Time (UTC) Event
23 September 2014 10:47:32 Satellite communication switched to medium gain antenna
01:26:32 Forward rotation started for deceleration burn
01:42:19 Eclipse started
24 September 2014 01:44:32 Attitude control manoeuvre performed with thrusters
01:47:32 Liquid Apogee Motor starts firing
02:11:46 Liquid Apogee Motor stops firing
After these events, the spacecraft performed a reverse manoeuvre to reorient from its
deceleration burn and successfully entered Martian orbit.[8][84][4]
Status[edit]
The orbit insertion put MOM in a highly elliptical orbit around Mars, with a period of 72 hours
51 minutes 51 seconds, a periapsis of 421.7 km (262.0 mi) and apoapsis of 76,993.6 km
(47,841.6 mi).[8] At the end of the orbit insertion, MOM was left with 40 kg (88 lb) of fuel on
board, more than the 20 kg (44 lb) necessary for a six-month mission.[85]
On 28 September 2014, MOM controllers published the spacecraft's first global view of Mars.
The image was captured by the Mars Colour Camera (MCC).[86]
On 7 October 2014, the ISRO altered MOM's orbit so as to move it behind Mars for Comet
Siding Spring's flyby of the planet on 19 October 2014. The spacecraft consumed 1.9 kg
(4 lb) of fuel for the manoeuvre. As a result, MOM's apoapsis was reduced to 72,000 km
(45,000 mi).[87] After the comet passed by Mars, ISRO reported that MOM remained
healthy.[88]
On 4 March 2015, the ISRO reported that MOM's methane sensors were functioning
normally and are studying Mars' albedo, the reflectivity of the planet's surface. The Mars
Colour Camera was also returning new images of the Martian surface.[89][90]
On 24 March 2015, MOM completed its initial six-month mission in orbit around Mars. ISRO
extended the mission by an additional six months; the spacecraft has 37 kg (82 lb) of
propellant remaining and all five of its scientific instruments are working properly.[2] The
orbiter can reportedly continue orbiting Mars for several years with its remaining propellant.[91]
A 17-day communications blackout occurred from 6 to 22 June 2015 while Mars' orbit took it
behind the Sun from Earth's view.[43]:52
On 24 September 2015, ISRO released its "Mars Atlas", a 120-page
scientific atlas containing images and data from the Mars Orbiter Mission's first year in
orbit.[92]
Awards[edit]
The Mars Orbiter Mission team won US-based National Space Society's 2015 Space Pioneer
Award in the science and engineering category. NSS said the award was given as the Indian
agency successfully executed a Mars mission in its first attempt; and the spacecraft is in an
elliptical orbit with a high apoapsis where, with its high resolution camera, it is taking full-disk
color imagery of Mars. Very few full disk images have ever been taken in the past, mostly on
approach to the planet, as most imaging is done looking straight down in mapping mode.
These images will aid planetary scientists.[93][94][95]
Follow-up mission[edit]
ISRO plans to develop and launch a follow-up mission called Mangalyaan 2 with a greater
scientific payload to Mars between 2018 and 2020.[96][97] This mission will likely consist of
a lander and a Mars rover.[98][99]
See also[edit]
