The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is making significant strides towards its second Mars mission, aiming to become the third country to land a spacecraft on another planet. The details of this mission, known as Mangalyaan-2, were unveiled during a recent presentation at the Space Application Centre on National Technology Day.
KEY FEATURES OF MANGALYAAN-2
1. Rover and Helicopter Combination:
- Similar to NASA's Perseverance rover, Mangalyaan-2 will feature a rover and helicopter combination.
- The rover will be deployed using a sky-crane system, a technology developed by NASA to ensure controlled and precise landings.
2. Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle:
- The mission will be launched aboard the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3), known for its heavy-lift capabilities.
3. Sky-Crane System:
- The sky-crane system will ensure the rover lands upright and ready to begin its mission, even in challenging Martian terrain.
4. Mars Helicopter:
- Engineers are designing a helicopter to operate in Mars' thin atmosphere.
- The helicopter, still in the conceptual stage, will carry the Martian Boundary Layer Explorer (Marble) for aerial exploration and atmospheric profiling.
5. Relay Communication Satellite:
- To maintain communication with Earth, ISRO plans to deploy a relay communication satellite ahead of the mission.
- The satellite will be launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and will ensure uninterrupted communication between Mars and Earth.
COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES
- Signal Travel Time:
- The time for signals to travel between Mars and Earth varies from 3 to 22 minutes one way when Mars is closest to Earth (opposition).
- During conjunction, when Mars is on the opposite side of the Sun, signals can take 6 to 44 minutes one way.
ISRO's ambitious Mangalyaan-2 mission marks a significant step forward in India's space exploration efforts, aiming to join the elite club of nations with successful planetary landings.
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