JOIN USAfter placing a satellite in the Martian orbit, scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) are now working on what to do with the fuel that the spacecraft has saved.
There are two options. The first is to use the fuel to extend the life of the spacecraft beyond six months to one year or more. The second option is to finetune the orbiter’s trajectory to obtain more data.
The decision on utilisation of fuel will be taken in the next few days with scientists waiting for the orbiter to revolve around Mars at least twice so that there is adequate data to be examined. Each revolution will take 3.2 earth days.
Some US missions have extended the life of spacecraft, while some others were terminated or let to die. The decision will be taken depending on the objectives of Isro.
The scientists will map the distance of the spacecraft from Mars and try to get it as close as possible to the planet by working on the orbiter’s trajectory. Monitoring of the spacecraft’s movements and health is going on, which will determine how it will be handled.
Isro is expecting more pictures from the spacecraft. The arrival of pictures will take time due to the distance between Mars and the earth. These pictures will help Isro to take a good look of the surface of Mars and craters among various other facets.
In the next few days four other instruments will be switched on. The fifth instrument, the camera, is already on. There is no hierarchy among the instruments because each one is measuring a different facet of the planet.
However, the instrument which is looking for methane is very important as the gas will indicate presence of life that may have existed.
The Mars Orbiter Mission is carrying five scientific payloads to observe Martian surface, atmosphere and exosphere extending up to 80,000 km for a detailed understanding of the evolution of that planet, especially the related geological and the possible biogenic processes. These payloads consist of a camera, two spectrometers, a radiometer and a photometer. Together they weigh around 15 kg.
Scientists will monitor the instruments to assess whether their voltage and temperature is fine and functioning as per the plan. Isro received 20 proposals for placing instruments on the spacecraft from different countries, but only five were finally selected by a committee headed by former Isro chief U R Rao.
The remaining proposals will be taken up in subsequent missions or on missions conducted by other countries. The events related to Mars Orbit Insertion are progressing satisfactorily.
The spacecraft is now circling Mars in an orbit whose nearest point to the planet (periapsis) is at 421.7 km and farthest point (apoapsis) is at 76,993.6 km. The inclination of the orbit with respect to the equatorial plane of Mars is 150 degrees.