The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also called Mangalyaan, was launched on November 5, 2013 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It had the ambitious mission of studying the red planet’s atmosphere and surface, as well as to study its minerals and water content. That in itself was quite an accomplishment, but there was also another reason why MOM was so special: it gave ISRO scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study the Sun from close range. This is because when Mars and Earth are aligned to each other, it allows our scientists to watch solar activity in all its glory. How Mangalyaan Helped Scientists Discover Sun’s Secrets
Solar Missions and India
India’s mission to Mars, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), was successful in its first attempt. India became one of only three countries to successfully reach Mars orbit with their first attempt and at a much lower cost than other space missions. With ISRO’s (Indian Space Research Organization) other missions to space, it has become clear that India is a world leader in solar energy research.
The Launch
After a 28-day journey to space, India’s Mars Orbiter Mission, or Mangalyaan, launched from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on November 5th. It took eight months for Mars Orbiter to reach its final destination in December 2014. Along with that, it is sending back some of the best photos of our solar system and insight into what scientists know about Mars so far.
After the Launch
Once Mangalyaan reached Mars, ISRO scientists faced an entirely new set of challenges. This is what they did next.
Data Interpretation
Just how does a satellite help scientists study a star? What exactly did they discover from studying our home star? Here is an overview of how ISRO’s mission to Mars helped scientists better understand our own Sun.
The Science
By studying data from ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission, called Mangalyaan, scientists were able to learn more about what types of gases surround our nearest star.
Debris in the Space
Though we can’t see it from Earth, there is plenty of debris in space. Space agencies like NASA and ISRO keep track of these pieces by using telescopes such as STEREO and SOHO.
Future Prospects
The primary objective of India’s first interplanetary probe, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), is to investigate whether Mars had or has water on its surface and if it can support life. It will carry five instruments including a sensor to map methane in Mars’ atmosphere and test if it can be a possible marker for life.