Why this matters now
MOM is tested for: launch 5 Nov 2013 PSLV-C25 (XL) SHAR FLP; cruise 300 days; Mars Orbit Insertion 24 Sep 2014 07:47 IST; project dir S. Arunan; Chair K. Radhakrishnan; cost Rs 450 crore (US$74 m) cheaper than Hollywood Gravity; mass 1337 kg launch / 475 kg dry; 5 payloads MCC + TIS + MENCA + LAP + MSM; designed 6 months — operated 8 years; mission ended 2 Oct 2022 propellant + battery depletion; Mars Atlas published Mar 2015.
Launch & cruise
- 5 Nov 2013 14:38 IST: PSLV-C25 XL from First Launch Pad SHAR.
- Six Earth-bound burns raised apogee progressively (PSLV could not directly inject to Mars trajectory — insufficient C3).
- 1 Dec 2013: Trans-Mars Injection (TMI) escaped Earth.
- 9-month cruise ~666 million km.
- 24 Sept 2014 07:47 IST: Mars Orbit Insertion (MOI) burn 24 min (40% engine performance after 9-month dormancy). Inserted in 421.7 km × 76,993 km orbit.
5 payloads (15 kg total)
| Instrument | What it does |
|---|---|
| MCC Mars Color Camera | 2k×2k images of Mars + Phobos + Deimos. |
| TIS Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer | Surface temperature, composition mapping. |
| MENCA Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser | Neutral gas composition exosphere. |
| LAP Lyman Alpha Photometer | Deuterium-Hydrogen ratio — trace water loss. |
| MSM Methane Sensor for Mars | CH4 atmospheric mapping (no methane detected). |
Achievements
- India 4th space agency after USSR, NASA, ESA — first Asian to reach Mars.
- First nation to succeed in its maiden Mars attempt (US, USSR, ESA all failed first tries).
- Cheapest Mars mission ever at US$74 m. Modi quip: cheaper than Hollywood film Gravity ($100 m).
- Mars Atlas released March 2015 from MCC images.
- Operated ~8 years vs 6-month design life.
- Mission ended 2 Oct 2022 ISRO confirmed loss of communication; propellant exhausted + battery drained during a 7-hr eclipse.
- Stamp + memorial: India Post stamp 2014; INR 2000 note (now demonetised) featured MOM artwork.
UPSC angle
Know MARS ORBITER MISSION (MOM) MANGALYAAN — LAUNCH 5 NOV 2013 14:38 IST PSLV-C25 XL FIRST LAUNCH PAD SHAR; SIX EARTH-BOUND BURNS raised apogee progressively (PSLV insufficient C3 for direct TMI); 1 DEC 2013 TRANS-MARS INJECTION; 9-month cruise 666 million km; MARS ORBIT INSERTION (MOI) 24 SEPT 2014 07:47 IST burn 24 min orbit 421.7 km x 76993 km; INDIA 4TH SPACE AGENCY after USSR NASA ESA + FIRST ASIAN; FIRST NATION SUCCEED MAIDEN MARS ATTEMPT (US USSR ESA all failed first tries); COST Rs 450 CRORE US$74 m CHEAPEST MARS MISSION cheaper than Hollywood Gravity $100 m; PSLV unable direct TMI; Chair K. RADHAKRISHNAN; Project dir S. ARUNAN; mass 1337 kg launch 475 kg dry; 5 PAYLOADS 15 kg MCC Mars Color Camera 2k+2k + TIS Thermal IR Imaging Spectrometer surface temp/comp + MENCA Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser exosphere + LAP Lyman Alpha Photometer D-H ratio trace water loss + MSM Methane Sensor for Mars NO METHANE DETECTED; MARS ATLAS released March 2015; DESIGNED 6 MONTHS operated 8 YEARS; MISSION ENDED 2 OCT 2022 ISRO confirmed loss comms propellant exhausted + battery drained 7-hr eclipse; India Post stamp 2014; INR 2000 note demonetised featured MOM artwork.
Frequently asked questions
When did Mangalyaan reach Mars?
24 September 2014 at 07:47 IST. India became the 4th space agency to reach Mars and the first nation in history to succeed on its first Mars attempt.
What was the cost of Mangalyaan?
Rs 450 crore (US$74 million) — the cheapest Mars mission ever. PM Modi joked it was cheaper than the Hollywood film Gravity ($100 m).
When did the MOM mission end?
2 October 2022 — ISRO confirmed loss of communication. Mangalyaan operated for 8 years vs its 6-month design life. Battery drained during a 7-hr eclipse + propellant depletion.
What did Mangalyaan discover?
Mars Atlas of MCC colour images; D/H isotope ratio + mapped neutral exospheric composition. No methane detected (within instrument sensitivity).