MARS NAME:- Swanand Sanket
Risbud
ORBITAL STD:- VI
MISSION DIV:- C
INFORMATION
1.Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS)
instrument is aimed to observe thermal emission from
Mars surface to detect its temperature and hot spot
regions or hydrothermal vents on Martian surface. The
TIS is designed to observe emitted infrared radiation
from Martian environment in 7–13 µm region of
electromagnetic spectrum using a micro bolometer
device. Brief specifications of the TIS are provided in
Annexure 2.
2.Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM) is a differential
radiometer based on Fabry–Perot Etalon filters to
measure columnar methane (CH4) in the Martian
atmosphere at several parts per billion (ppb) levels.
This differential signal gives a measure of columnar
amount of CH4. The possible finding of methane in
Martian atmosphere will provide clues about the
presence of life on Mars. A brief specification of the
MSM instrument is provided in Annexure 3.
3. Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) spacecraft is
orbiting Mars in a highly elliptical orbit
characterized by nearest point to Mars (periapsis)
at around 300 km and farthest point (apoapsis) at
~71,000 km. The inclination of orbit with respect
to the equatorial plane of Mars is ~150 degree, as
intended. In this orbit, the spacecraft takes ~73
hrs to go round the Mars once. A brief description
of the instruments is given below.
4.Mars Colour Camera (MCC) is an electro-
optical sensor imaging surface of Mars in three
colours, varying spatial resolution between ~20 m
to ~4 km in 16 different exposure modes,
depending on its position in orbital plane and
illumination conditions. The MCC payload
provides data in true colors of Mars covering Red,
Green and Blue as Bayer pattern. Important
science objectives of MCC include studying
morphology of landforms, wind streaks, dynamic
processes such as dust storms in different
seasons. Technical specifications of MCC are
provided in Annexure-1.
INFORMA
TION
5.Lyman Alpha Photometer (LAP) is essentially a
compact far-ultraviolet photometer capable of
providing deuterium to hydrogen (D/H) abundance
ratio of Martian exosphere from spacecraft
observations. Comparison of the present and initial
D/H ratio, estimated from observations of the D/H
ratio in comets and asteroids, which are believed to
be sources of Martian water should allow us to
calculate the amount of hydrogen and, therefore, the
water that has been lost over planet’s lifetime.
Primary scientific objective of the LAP instrument is
to determine D/H isotope ratio of Martian upper
atmosphere from the ratio of the measured Lyman-
alpha intensities. The observations would enable us
to i) generate spatial and temporal profiles of
hydrogen and deuterium Lyman-alpha intensities, ii)
study of deuterium-enrichment in the upper
atmosphere and iii) estimate of the water
escape/loss rate. Brief specifications of the LAP
instrument are provided in Annexure 4.
6.The MENCA instrument is meant for in situ study of
the composition of the Martian neutral exosphere.
Taking advantage of the highly elliptical orbit of the
MOM spacecraft, MENCA data can be used to derive
information on the radial distribution and
composition of the Martian neutral exosphere. Brief
