India’s ISRO plans Mangalyaan-2, aiming to land a rover and fly a helicopter on Mars with innovative technology like a sky crane and supersonic parachute.
Mangalyaan-2 Mission: ISRO Mars Mission includes helicopter, sky crane, rover And more
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for its ambitious Mangalyaan-2 mission to Mars. Building on the success of their Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan-1), this next endeavour aims to land a rover and a tiny helicopter on the Red Planet’s surface. This mission, unveiled on National Technology Day, signifies a significant step forward for ISRO. If successful, India will become only the third nation, after the US and China, to land a spacecraft on Mars.
Sky Crane for Precise Landing
ISRO is ditching traditional landing methods and deploying a revolutionary “sky crane” to deliver the rover safely to the Martian surface. This system ensures a soft landing even on challenging terrain, potentially paving the way for future human missions to Mars.
Supersonic Parachute to Tame the Thin Atmosphere
Mars’ atmosphere is just 1% as dense as Earth’s, posing a challenge for traditional parachutes. ISRO’s solution? A supersonic parachute designed to manage the intense descent through the atmosphere, ensuring a controlled landing and mitigating heat generated by friction. This approach mirrors the technology used by NASA‘s Perseverance rover landing in 2021.
Taking Flight on Mars: Introducing MarBLE
One of the most interesting aspects of Mangalyaan-2 is the inclusion of MarBLE, a Mars helicopter. This marvel of engineering will attempt to fly in the thin Martian atmosphere, conducting scientific studies during its 100-metre flights. If successful, India will become the second nation, after the US with its Ingenuity helicopter, to achieve powered flight on Mars.
Relay Satellite for Constant Communication
To maintain uninterrupted communication with the rover and helicopter, ISRO plans to launch a relay satellite before the main mission. This satellite acts as a crucial link between Earth and Mars, guaranteeing a steady flow of data and mission control.
LVM3: The Powerful Rocket for a Long Journey
The mighty Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3), ISRO’s most powerful rocket yet, will propel Mangalyaan-2 towards Mars. The journey will take several months, covering a vast distance of approximately 225 million kilometres.
Why Mars? The Appeal of the Red Planet
Despite its harsh environment with extreme temperature variations, Mars remains a hot destination in space exploration. Here’s why:
- The Search for Life Beyond Earth: As explorers by nature, humanity seeks to understand if life exists elsewhere. Mars, with its similarities to Earth, is a prime candidate for this quest. Evidence suggests Mars may have once harboured water, rivers, and a warmer climate, potentially supporting life.
- A Scientific Treasure Trove: Mars holds immense scientific value. Studying its volcanoes, craters, and geological processes offers insights into its history and evolution. Analysing the atmosphere could reveal details about Mars’ formation and shed light on our own planet’s past and future.
- Paving the Way for Human Missions: Robotic missions like Mangalyaan-2 help assess potential resources and risks before sending humans to Mars. These missions can identify biohazards in the Martian soil and dust, crucial information for planning future astronaut missions.
Mangalyaan-2 as an Explorer
Mangalyaan-2 goes beyond mere observation. It positions India as a key player in space exploration, aiming to gather valuable scientific data and map the Martian terrain for future missions. The knowledge and technology gained will have a ripple effect, leading to advancements in various fields. New materials discovered on Mars could have applications that improve our daily lives, potentially supporting future colonization efforts.
Mangalyaan-2 marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a space power. It showcases the nation’s unwavering scientific spirit and commitment to space exploration for the benefit of humanity. As we look towards 2050, Mars could become a new frontier for humanity, and India is well-positioned to play a leading role in this exciting chapter of our cosmic journey.
Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
