Yinghuo-1

MISSION OVERVIEW:

     Yinghhuo-1 was chinese spacecraft intended to visit Mars which was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhastan on 8th November 2011. It was launched along with the Russian probe Phobos-Grunt which was intended to visit moon of Mars "Phobos". However due to the improper firing of propulsion. Finally both the spacecraft was lost.

INSTRUMENTS CARRIED:

1. Plasma Package
2. Fluxgate Magnetometer
3. Radio - occultation Sounder
4. Optical Imaging System

MISSION OBJECTIVES:

• To study detailed about plasma environment and magnetic field
• To Study the landscape processes on Mars
• To conduct ionospheric occultation measurements between Yinghuo-1 and Fhobos-Grunt, focusing on the sub-solar and midnight regions
• To Observe the Sand-Storms on the Martian surface

LAUNCH AND BURN FAILURE:

     Yinghuo-1 and Fobos - Grunt was launched together from Baikonur Cosmodrome on 8th November 2011. Shortly after the launch, Fobos was expected to perform two burns to depart LEO. But the burn did not take place standing in the parking orbit. 

On 17th November Chinese state declared that the Yinghuo-1 probe was lost and the Fobos - Grunt gradually began to decay. Finally on 14th January 2012, it was reported that Fobos and Yinghuo were beginning their final descent into earth's atmosphere falling at the rate of several hundred metres per hour.  The two spacecraft completed their re-entry and disintegrated over the Pacific ocean on 15th January 2012.

Tags: Mars Missions | Orbiters | Yinghuo-1 | Fobos-Grunt of Russia