The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is setting its sights on the Red Planet once again, with plans for an innovative Mars mission slated for the early 2030s. Building upon the success of India’s first mission to Mars, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as “Mangalyaan,” ISRO is poised to embark on a more ambitious journey of exploration and discovery.
Mangalyaan, launched in November 2013, achieved a historic milestone by entering orbit around Mars in September 2014. Over the course of eight years, the spacecraft provided invaluable insights into the Martian environment before contact with Earth was unfortunately lost in 2022.
ISRO’s upcoming Mars mission promises to push the boundaries of exploration even further. At the forefront of this endeavor is the development of a pioneering concept—an aerial vehicle that will accompany an Indian Mars lander to the planet’s surface.
According to Jayadev Pradeep, a scientist at the Space Physics Laboratory, the envisioned helicopter will carry a suite of advanced payloads designed for aerial exploration. These payloads include a range of sensors to gather crucial data on Mars’ atmosphere, including temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed, electric fields, and the distribution of dust aerosols.
The aerial vehicle is designed to soar up to 328 feet (100 meters) above the Martian surface, allowing for detailed profiling of the planet’s atmospheric conditions. To put this into perspective, NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter, deployed on Mars in 2021, reached altitudes of up to 79 feet (24 meters) during its flights, covering a distance of 10.5 miles (17 kilometers).
ISRO’s ambitious Mars mission represents a significant leap forward in planetary exploration, showcasing India’s growing prowess in space technology and innovation. By leveraging cutting-edge capabilities and pushing the boundaries of scientific inquiry, ISRO aims to unravel the mysteries of Mars and deepen our understanding of the solar system’s enigmatic neighbor.
As the countdown to the 2030s begins, the world eagerly anticipates the next chapter in India’s space odyssey—a journey that promises to inspire and captivate the imagination of generations to come. With each new mission, ISRO reaffirms its commitment to pushing the frontiers of space exploration and unlocking the secrets of the cosmos.
