Mars Global Surveyor

Introduction:

     Mars Global Surveyor was a American spacecraft designed by Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. It was intended to map the ionosphere of Mars from its surface and it was a part of Mars Exploration Program. It also acted a relay between Martian Rovers, Landers to the Earth. Its mission was officially began in November  1996 and ended in 2007 of January.

Launch: 

     Mars Global Surveyor was launched on 7th November 1996 from Cape Canaveral Airforce Station located in Florida. It was carried by Delta-II Rocket. It continued a travelling period of 300 days towards Mars nearly about 750 million kilometers. Finally it reached Mars on 11th September 1997 and it was injected into Martian orbit after 22 minutes of Mars Orbital Insertion.

Scientific Instruments Carried:

• MOC - Mars Orbiter Camera
• MOLA - Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter
• TES - Thermal Emission Spectrometer
• MAG - Magnetometer
• ER - Electron Reflectometer
• USO/RS - Ultrastable Oscillator for Doppler Measurements

Scientific Objectives:

1. It characterised surface and geological process on Mars
2. it analysed the distribution of minerals, rocks and ice and studied its physical properties
3. It determined the Topography, shape of the planet and its gravitational field
4. It mapped the nature of Magnetic field of Mars using Magnetometer
5. it monitored the weather condition and surface temperature of Mars
6. It studied the interaction of Martian atmosphere to its Surface

Achievements during Extended Mission:

• It continuously monitored weather condition with Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
• It imaged the landind site of 2007 Phoenix Lander and 2011 Curiosity Rover
• Observation of scientifically interested sites and thier sedimentary features
• Observed the surface changes occured due to the sust storms and ice caps.

Mission Outcomes:

     The spacecraft orbited the Mars after its primary mission . It constantly orbited on its path and took several images of already imaged surfaces at various angles. It studied much more than the primary mission. Some of the results were,

•  The planet was found to have layered crust to a depth of 10 kilometers, the layer was formed by the deposition of large amounts of material .
• Creaters found in the northern hemisphere were similar to the creaters on southern hemisphere, but creters were buried in the northern hemisphere
• It also had some buried Impact creaters
• Past creaters which are buried are now being exposed by erosion.
• Hundreds of gullies were discovered, which are formed by the liquid water, possible in recent times.

  *Results from the Mars Global Surveyor's primary mission from 1996 to 2001 were published in the journal of Geophysical Rsearch by M>malin and K.Edgett.

End of the Mission:

     National Aeronautics Space Administration lost contact from Mars Global Surveyor on 2 November 2006 during an attempt to command the spacecraft, after a long time a fiant signal was received indicating that the spacecraft system entered into safe mode and awaiting for further commands. On 20 November 2006, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter attempted to image the position of Mars Global Surveyor, but the attempt was unsuccessful. On 13th April 2007, NASA announced that, the communication from MGS was lost, and also the spacecraft was lost due to the flaw in the parameter update in the system's software.

Conclusion:

     The spacecraft was lost due to the human error, when two independent person updates the same copies of software with different parameters. It was planned to survive for a period of 1 Martian Year which equals 2 Earth years. But the mission was extended by NASA for three times. It achieved its great goal during its period from 1996 to 2006.

Mars Global Surveyor Additional Information:

Spacecraft Type  -  Mars Orbiter

Launch Date  -  7 November 1996

Rocket  - Delta-II Rocket

Launch Site  -  Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

Last contact  -  2 November 2006

Duration of Mission  -  9 Years 11 Months and 26 Days

Orbital Insertion  -  12 September 1997

Country  -  United States (NASA)

Official Website  -  https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mgs/

Tags: Mars Global Surveyor | Mars Orbiters | Mars Missions

Related Posts: Mars Climate Orbiter | Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter | 2001 Mars Odyssey | Curiosity Rover | Mariner 4 | Mariner 6 | Mariner 7 |Mariner 9 | Mangalyaan | MAVEN | ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter

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Fobos-Grunt

Fobos-Grunt Overview:

     Fobos-Grunt was an Russian Sample Return Mission to Phobos, which is one of the moon of Mars. It also carried the Chinese orbiter called Yinghuo-1 and a small Living Interplanetary Flight Experiment funded and developed by the Planetary Society.

Launch:

      The Spacecraft was arrived at the launch pad "Baikonur" on 17th October 2011. It was launched successfully on 8th November 2011. It was carried by Zenith-2SB41 Rocket developed by Russian Space Agency.

Design and Development:

     The Fobos-Grunt design was began in 1999, when the Russian Space Research Institute and NPO Lavochkin initiated rouble feasibility study into Phobos sample-return mission. It was similar to the 1980s Fobos program. On 26th March 2007, Russia and China signed a cooperative agreement on joint exploration of Mars, which included Fobos-Grunt & Yinghuo-1 weigh 115kg.

Fobos-Grunt Development Partners:

• NPO Lavochkin
• GEOHI RAN Institute - Russian Academy of Sciences
• Vernadski Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical chemistry
• Russian Space Research Institute
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Planetary Society 
• Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
• Finnish Meteorological Institute - Two MetNet Mars Landers 

Objectives:

• Delivery of Soil of Phobos to Earth for research of Mars,Phobos
• To Monitor the atmosphere of Mars and dynamics of dust storms
• To study the vicinity of Mars including radiation belt
• To study the formation of moons and terrestrial planets by the impact of asteroids
• In search of possible evidence for past or present life
• Study the impact of three-year interplanetary round trip journey on extremophile micro-organisms in a small sealed capsule (LIFE Experiment)

Scientific Instruments:

• Television System for Navigation and Guidance
• Gas Chromatograph package | Thermal Differential Analyzer - Gas-Chromatograph - Mass Spectrometer |
• Gamma Ray Spectrometer
• Neutron Spectrometer
• Alpha X Spectrometer
• Seismometer
• Long Wave Radar
• Visual and Near Infrared Spectrometer
• Dust Counter
• Ion Spectrometer
• Optical Solar Sensor

Communication:

     The first communication was received by the European Space Agency's tracking station located in Perth on 22nd November 2011, Australia. After receiving, they sent a command to turn one of its transmitters. The contact was made on 20:25 UTC on 22nd November 2011 as reported by European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt. Then No Telemetry signal was received in this communication.

Repeat Mission:

   In January 2012,Russian Space Research Institute and NPO Lavochkin called scientists and engineers for a repeat sample return mission called Fobos-Grunt-2 and Boomerang, for launch in 2020. Again it was estimated to complete the repeat mission within approx.2024. Some of the instruments designed for the Fobos-Grunt were installed and carried by Exo-Mars Trace Gas Orbiter.

Tags: Yinghuo-1 | Schiaparelli Lander | Mars Climate Orbiter | Mangalyaan | MAVEN | ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter | Viking-2 Orbiter | Kosmos 419 Orbiter | Mars Missions | Orbiters

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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

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Mangalyaan

Mission Overview:

     Mangalyaan was the first interplanetary probe of India to reach Mars which was called Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). It made India's first venture into the interplanetary space. Mangalyaan was launched on 5 November 2013 and it was carried by (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) PSLV-XL C25 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. It was planned to explore and observe Martian surface features, morphology, mineralogy and Mars atmosphere after its arrival on 24 September 2014.

Mission Proposal:

     The Mangalyaan mission was mainly designed for the search of Methane in martian atmosphere and it will give clue for possibility of past or present life on the planet. It had many modern technologies to face and cover the challenge of far long distance of planet from earth. 

     After leaving the earth, the orbiter will have endure the interplanetary space for 300 days before reaching Mars, apart from the space communications and navigation guidance control capabilities, the mission will require autonomy at the spacecraft end to handle contingencies.But India decided to go Mars and never wanted to miss nearest launch window, next launch would be possible after 780 days in 2016.

Start of Mission:

     Mangalyaan mission was officially started with its launch on 5 November 2013 and the mission operation began on 24 September 2014 after its successful orbital insertion. It was launched with PSLV-XL C25 (XL- is one of the world's most reliable launch vehicles). This XL variant was earlier used to launch Chandrayaan in 2008, GSAT-12 in 2011 and RISAT-1 in 2012.

Spacecraft Design and Tracking:

    MOM was based on I-1K bus satellite which has been providing reliability over the years. Similar bus was also used in Chandrayaan, Indian Remote Sensing, Indian National Satellites. Mom has a total fuel of 850 kg of fuel and 5 scientific Payloads. The orbiter is being tracked by Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) located outside Bangalore. IDSN's 32 m and 18 m diameter antennas are being complemented by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Deep Space network.

Scientific Payloads:

• LAP - Lyman-Alpha Photometer
• MSM - Methane Sensor for Mars
• MENCA - Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser
• TIS - Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer
• MCC - Mars Colour Camera

 The total weight of these five instruments is 15 kg installed in Mars Orbiter Mission

Mission Objectives:

Primary Mission Objectives:

• Orbit manoeuvres to transfer spacecraft from earth orbit to martian orbit
• Computational analysis for orbital forces
• Navigation phases
• Maintain spacecraft in phases of mission
• Autonomous features for contingency handling
• Meeting the requirements for communications, thermal and payload operations`

Scientific Objectives:

• Exploring Mars by observing and studying the morphology, topography and mineralogy
• Study the atmosphere and to search the presence of Methane and CO2 using remote sensing techniques
• Study the upper atmosphere and its effects of solar wind and radiation on it.
• If mission extends it would also provide opportunities to observe the Martian moon "Phobos".

Technical Details:

• The spacecraft bus was modified I-1-K
• Total lift-up mass is 1,337.2 kilograms
• Solar panels that could produce 840 watts and stored in 36 Ah Lithium-ion battery
• Propulsion was provided by 440 newtons thrust engine
• It carried five scientific instruments of 15 kilograms

Instruments Description:

• MENCA - Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser
• The main scientific objective is to study the neutral composition and density distribution of Martian exosphere from an altitude of 370 km and beyond, and to study its radial, diurnal, and possibly seasonal variations. This would help in understanding the escape of the Martian atmosphere.
• LAP - Lyman-Alpha Photometer
• It is a far-ultraviolet scientific instrument to measure the distribution of Deutrium and Hydrogen in Martian Exosphere.
• MCC - Mars Colour Camera
• It is a multi-purpose versatile camera with RGB Bayer pattern to image various morphological features on Mars. It also expected to observe and provide information  about events like dust storms and dust devils
• MSM - Methane Sensor for Mars
• It a differential radiometer based on Fabry-Perot filters operating in short wave infrared region. It used to detect Methane by absorption of mathane in the first channel
• TIS - Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer
• It is a grating based spectrometer which will be used to measure the thermal emission from Martian surface. It will be useful to determine the surface temperature of Mars

Current Status:

     Mangalyaan is currently active on Mars and sending information to us. First year data was released on ISSDC website. To see first year of MOM archived data. Click Mangalyaan First Year data archive.

Further References:

1. Click to see images from Mars Colour Camera 
2. List of Mars Orbiter Mission Publications 
3. Announcement of Opportunity to use Mangalyaan data 
4. Release of Mars Atlas with celebration of 1 year on Mars.

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MAVEN

Mission Overview:

     MAVEN is expanded as Mars Atmospheric Volatile Evolution Mission, was an American spacecraft launched by National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) to study the Mars atmosphere and evolution of gases. This spacecraft was designed under the supervision of Lockheed Martin.It was launched on 28 November 2013, after the successful launch of Indian Mars Spacecraft Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission).

Mission Proposal:

      MAVEN mission was originated from American Mars Scout Program. Mission was designed and tested by Lockheed Martin Space Subsystems. After the completion of spacecraft, it arrived Kennedy Space Center for launch in August of 2013. But the launch was delayed due to down of the government. Finally it was scheduled to launch in 28 November 2013.Maven is similar to previous Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars Odyssey.

Start of Mission:

      Mars Atmospheric Volatile Evolution Mission was started with the successful launch on 28 November. After a 10 month journey to mars Maven entered the martian orbit on 22 September 2014 at 02:24 UTC.

Objectives:

   There are four primary objectives of the spacecraft are

• To measure - how much volatile compounds is escaped from Martian atmosphere to space
• To measure the rate of escaping atmosphere into space
• To report the current status of martian upper atmosphere, ionosphere and its interactions with solar wind
• To measure the availability of stable isotopes on Mars

  An instrument called Sample Analysis for Mars (SAM) mounted on board of Curiosity Rover will investigate Mars atmosphere from the Gale creator. It will help Maven to interpret upper atmosphere of Mars.

  

Scientific Instruments:

• Particle and Field Package
• Solar wind electron analyser
• Solar wind ion analyser
• Supra-Thermal and Thermal  Ion Composition
• Solar Energetic Particle
• Langmuir Probes and Waves
• Magnetometer

• Remote Sensing package
• Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrometer

• Neutral gas and ion mass spectrometer 

Mission Status:

     Maven is currently in operation and active. its first phase ended in November 2014 and its second science phase started in June of 2015. Maven has enough fuel to extend its mission for next to years and can orbit around mars as orbiter for next 6 years. 

Discoveries:

• On 5 November 2015, Scientists reported that the Solar wind is responsible for the stripping away of Martian Atmosphere
• Mars lost its magnetic shield, because the planetary dynamo is cooled
• It loses water into thin atmosphere by evaporation and the Solar wind splits the water into hydrogen and oxygen.
• Hydrogen gas rises high into the Martian atmosphere due to its lightness and lost to space by several processes.
• The rate of loss of hydrogen into space increases. This was noted from the beginning, when the Maven entered the Martian Orbit.   

Tags:

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter | Mariner 9 | Mars 96 Orbiter | Mars 2 Orbiter | Mariner 8 | Mars 3 Orbiter | Mars 5 Orbiter | Mars Express | Mars 2M No.522 Orbiter | Mars Climate Orbiter | Mars 7 Lander | Prop-M Rover | Zond 2 Flyby | Viking 2 Orbiter | Viking 1 Orbiter | Mariner 6 | Mariner 3 |  Kosmos 419 Orbiter

 

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