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Mangalyaan-2, India’s eagerly anticipated second Mars mission, represents a significant leap forward in the country’s space exploration endeavours. Following the resounding success of Mangalyaan-1, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is poised to embark on this ambitious venture, nearly a decade later.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) stands as India’s premier space agency, renowned for its remarkable achievements in space exploration. Established in 1969, ISRO has catapulted India into the global space arena with milestones like Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission. Its ingenuity and dedication continue to inspire scientific advancements worldwide.

Scheduled to follow in the footsteps of its illustrious predecessor, Mangalyaan-2 is set to carry four advanced payloads, as detailed in documents accessed by HT. These sophisticated scientific instruments will delve into crucial aspects of Mars, including the study of interplanetary dust, as well as the Martian atmosphere and environment.

The forthcoming mission seeks to build on India’s historic achievement from nine years prior, when on September 24, the nation made history by successfully entering Mars’ orbit on its inaugural attempt, a feat unparalleled by any other space agency.

The payloads on Mangalyaan-2 include the Mars Orbit Dust Experiment (MODEX), Radio Occultation (RO) experiment, Energetic Ion Spectrometer (EIS), and the Langmuir Probe and Electric Field Experiment (LPEX), each playing a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of Mars.

MODEX is geared towards unravelling the origin, abundance, distribution, and high-altitude flux of interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) on Mars. The RO experiment, on the other hand, aims to chart neutral and electron density profiles, employing an X-band frequency microwave transmitter to scrutinize the Martian atmosphere’s behaviour.

ISRO is also in the process of developing an EIS to scrutinize solar energy particles and supra-thermal solar wind particles within the Martian environment, shedding light on the factors contributing to the Martian atmosphere’s loss. This instrument will focus on measuring high-energy charged particles.

Lastly, the LPEX is set to facilitate measurements of electron number density, electron temperature, and electric field waves, enhancing our understanding of the plasma environment on Mars. The experiment comprises a Langmuir probe (LP) and two electric field (EF) sensors, each affixed to an extended boom.

Mangalyaan-2 exemplifies India’s unwavering commitment to space exploration and solidifies its position as a formidable player on the global stage of interplanetary missions. With its cutting-edge technology and scientific objectives, this mission is poised to unravel further mysteries of the red planet, marking another significant milestone in India’s space odyssey.

Mangalyaan-1, India’s first interplanetary mission, stands as a testament to the country’s burgeoning prowess in space exploration. Launched on November 5, 2013, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C25, this mission marked a historic milestone for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It achieved a feat unmatched at the time, becoming the fourth space agency globally to successfully insert a spacecraft into Mars’ orbit and the first to do so on its inaugural attempt.

Originally designed for a six-month mission life, Mangalyaan-1 exceeded all expectations, continuing its operations for an impressive seven years before its retirement in 2021. The mission’s objectives were multifaceted, showcasing India’s capability to design, build, and launch a Mars orbiter spacecraft with the autonomy to navigate the journey to the red planet. Additionally, it demonstrated ISRO’s proficiency in executing Mars orbit insertion and conducting a fruitful in-orbit phase.

Mangalyaan-1 carried five crucial scientific payloads, dedicated to the comprehensive study of Mars’ surface features, morphology, mineralogy, and atmosphere. This mission not only solidified India’s position in the global space arena but also expanded our understanding of the enigmatic red planet, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of space exploration.

For in-depth insights on Mars planet, read the article – Exploring the Red Planet