Mars Orbiter Mission 2
NamesMOM 2, Mangalyaan-2
Mission typeOrbiter[1]
Lander
Rover
OperatorISRO
Mission duration1 year (proposed)
Spacecraft properties
BusI-3K
ManufacturerISAC
Payload mass≈100 kg (220 lb)[2][needs update]
Start of mission
Launch dateTBD[1]
RocketGSLV Mk III[3][1]
Launch siteSatish Dhawan Space Center
ContractorISRO
Mars orbiter
Orbital parameters
Periareon altitude200 km (120 mi)[4]
Apoareon altitude2,000 km (1,200 mi)[4]
Indian missions to Mars
 

Mars Orbiter Mission 2 (MOM 2), also called Mangalyaan-2 ("Mars-craft", from Sanskrit: मंगल mangal, "Mars" and यान yān, "craft, vehicle"), is India's second interplanetary mission planned for launch to Mars by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). As per some reports emerged, the mission was to be an orbiter to Mars proposed for 2024.[5] However, in a recorded interview in October 2019, VSSC director has indicated the inclusion of a lander and rover.[1] The orbiter will use aerobraking to lower its initial apoapsis and enter into an orbit more suitable for observations.[6][7][8]

History

Following the successful insertion of the Mars Orbiter Mission (also called Mangalyaan) into Martian orbit, ISRO announced its intent to launch a second mission to Mars at the Engineers Conclave conference held in Bengaluru on 28 October 2014.[9] The proposed launch vehicle for this campaign is the GSLV Mk III, which flew for the first time on 5 June 2017.[10]

In January 2016, India and France signed a letter of intent for ISRO and CNES to jointly build MOM 2 by 2020,[11] but by April 2018, France was not yet involved in the mission.[12] The Indian government funded MOM 2 in its 2017 budget proposal, and ISRO is considering whether the best path is to conduct an orbiter/lander/rover mission or to opt for only an orbiter with more sophisticated instruments than those flown on MOM.[8] In a podcast recording VSSC director Dr. S. Somanath in October 2019, it was reported the architecture for mission is yet to be finalised and may also have a lander and rover. There has been no timeline announced however.[1]

Development

An Announcement of Opportunity was released requesting submissions for scientific instruments for an orbiter only, with a deadline set for 20 September 2016.[13][14] The total science payload mass is estimated at 100 kg (220 lb)[2]

One of the science payloads under development is an ionosphere plasma instrument named ARIS. It is being developed by Space Satellite Systems and Payloads Centre (SSPACE), which is part of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST). The engineering model and high vacuum test have been completed.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Episode 90 – An update on ISRO's activities with S Somanath and R Umamaheshwaran". AstrotalkUK. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b MOM Orbiter enters 6th year, ISRO eyes Mangalyaan-2. Rasheed Kappan, The Deccan Herald. 25 September 2019.
  3. ^ Fattah, Md Saim (29 October 2014). "India plans second Mars mission in 2018". News18.com.
  4. ^ a b D. S., Madhumathi (10 August 2016). "ISRO sets the ball rolling for Mars Mission-2". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  5. ^ Jatiya, Satyanarayan (18 July 2019). "Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2955" (PDF). Archived from the original on 30 August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  6. ^ Laxman, Srinivas (29 October 2016). "With 82 launches in a go, Isro to rocket into record books". The Times of India. Times News Network. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  7. ^ Haider, Syed A.; et al. (2018). "Indian Mars and Venus Missions: Science and Exploration" (PDF). Scientific Assembly Abstracts. 42rd Committee on Space Research Scientific Assembly. 14-22 July 2018. Pasadena, California. p. 432. B4.1-0010-18.
  8. ^ a b Bagla, Pallava (17 February 2017). "India eyes a return to Mars and a first run at Venus". Science. doi:10.1126/science.aal0781. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  9. ^ "We plan to launch 2nd Mars Mission in 2018, says ISRO satellite Centre Director". Business Today. Indo-Asian News Service. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  10. ^ Singh, Surendra (6 June 2017). "GSLV Mk III breaks Isro's jinx of failure in debut rocket launches". The Times of India. Times News Network. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  11. ^ Singh, Kanishk (28 January 2016). "India's French Connection: CNES and ISRO jointly will develop Mangalyaan 2". The TeCake. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  12. ^ Singh, Surendra (17 April 2018). "India, France to work together on inter-planetary missions". The Times of India. Times News Network. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for future Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM-2)". Indian Space Research Organisation. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  14. ^ "ISRO seeking proposals for Mars Orbiter Mission-2". The Indian Express. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  15. ^ Rajwi, Tiki (19 July 2018). "ISRO's space academy eyeing Mars and Venus". The New Indian Express. Express News Service. Retrieved 3 October 2018.