[MARS ORBITER MISSION]

A SEMINAR REPORT
SUBMITTED BY

[BHARANIDHARAN K]
[HARISUDHAN S]
[KARTHICK R]
[KARTHIK N]
[NANDHAKUMAR M]

CB.EN.U4MEE12010
CB.EN.U4MEE12018
CB.EN.U4MEE12020
CB.EN.U4MEE12021
CB.EN.U4MEE12030

Submitted as an Assignment for the Course

MEC301 HEAT POWER ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

AMRITASCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

AMRITA VISHWA VIDYAPEETHAM

COIMBATORE 641 112
November, 2014

ABSTRACT
The interest in the study of our neighboring planet have started in early 1600s, through telescope, which
made to suspect that it is earth-like planet. Since 1960, there have been 45 missions to mars with just about
three of them being successful. The Indian mars mission MANGALYAAN designed and developed by
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is to study Martian atmosphere like climate, geology, origin
and evolution and sustainability of life on the planet. Mars orbiter mission MANGALYAAN is ISROs first
interplanetary mission designed to orbit the planet Mars. It is launched on 5th November 2013 by PSLV-XL
rocket. The spacecraft started its mars transfer trajectory on November 26th2013and placed in a highly
elliptical orbit after the crucial mars orbit insertion maneuver by firing the 440 N Liquid Apogee motor. One
of the main objectives of MANGALYAAN is to develop the technologies required for the design,
planning, management and operations of an interplanetary mission.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SL.NO.

1
1.1
1.2
1.3

1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7

2
2.1

2.2
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
4
4.1

TITLE

PAGE

LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES
NOMENCLATURE

5
6
7

INTRODUCTION TO SPACE
Laws Of Planetary Motion
Universal Law of Gravitation
Requirement for Motion In Space
1.3.1Motion In Rotating Frame of Reference
1.3.2Orbital Velocity
1.3.3Orbital Period
Geo-Synchronous and Geo-Stationary Orbits
Eccentricity and Inclination of Orbits
1.5.1Inclination: Polar and Retrograde Orbit
1.5.2Transfer Orbit
Energy and Velocity Requirement To Reach A Particular Orbit
Escape Velocity

8
8
9
9
10
12
13
14
14
17
17
18

OBJECTIVES
Mission Objectives
2.1.1Researching Mars Orbit
2.1.2Searching for Methane
2.1.3 Detection of Moisture
2.1.4
Finding of Various Gases
2.1.5 Finding Radiation
Scientific Objectives
CHALLENGES IN SPACE MISSION
Power System
Communication System
Ground Segment
Propulsion System
On-board Autonomy
Weather
Comet Strike
Overall Mission Intricacies

20
20
20
21
21
21
22
23
23
23
24
24
24
25

4.2
4.3

LAUNCH VEHICLE
Introduction To PSLV
4.1.1
Stages of PSLV
4.1.2
Payload Firing
PSLV-XL C25
Why PSLV-XLC25 Is Preferred Instead of GSLV

27
33
34
35

5
5.1
5.2

SPACECRAFT
Liquid Apogee Motor
Propulsive Attitude Control System

37
38
3

5.3
6
6.1

Antenna
MISSION PAYLOADS
Complications in Selection of Payloads396.2
6.2.1
6.2.2
6.2.3
6.2.4
6.2.5

7
7.1

7.2
8

Payloads

Lyman Alpha Photometer

Methane Sensor for Mars
Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyzer
Mars Color Camera
Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer

TRAJECTORY AND COMMAND

Three Phases of Mangalyaan
7.1.1
Geo-Centric Phase

39
40
41
42
42
43

44
45

7.1.2
Helio-Centric Phase
7.1.3
Martian Phase
Tracking and Command
CONCLUSION
REFERENCE

46
46
46
47
50

LIST OF FIGURES
FIG. NO.

TITLE

Fig.1.1Attraction in Neighborhood of the Large Sphere9

Fig.1.2 Centripetal Force 10
Fig.1.3 Force on the Rotating body on the Rotating Frame 11
Fig.1.4 Variation of Orbital Velocity with height 12
Fig.1.5 Variation of Time Period with height13
Fig.1.6 Geo-Stationary Orbit14
Fig.1.7 Eccentricity of an Orbit14
Fig.1.8 Orbit Inclination15
Fig.1.9 Polar Orbit16
Fig.1.10 Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit17

Fig.1.11 Velocity of Orbiting bodies with Different Altitudes18

Fig.1.12 Variation of Escape Velocity with height above the earth19
Fig.4.1 Configuration of PSLV27
Fig.4.2 First Stage of PSLV with six strap on motors surrounding it28
Fig.4.3 PSLV with four strap of which ignited on ground and two are air lit30
Fig.4.4 Second stage of PSLV30
Fig.4.5 Combination of third and fourth stage32
Fig.4.6 Payload34
Fig.4.7 Assembly of PSLV XLC2536
Fig.5.1 Spacecraft38
Fig.6.1 View of LAP42
Fig.6.2 View of MSM 43
Fig.6.3 Details of MENCA43
Fig.6.4 MCC equipment44
Fig.6.5 TIS assembly44
Fig.7.1 Trajectory Design45
Fig.7.2 MOM after fifth liquid burn47
Fig.7.3 Martian Orbit47
Fig.7.4 Tracking and Command48

LIST OF TABLES
TABLE NO

TITLE

PAGE NO

1.1
Mass and diameter of the planets
2.1
Composition of gases
4.1
Specifications of First Stage Launch Vehicle
4.2Specifications of Second Stage Launch Vehicle
4.3Specifications of Third Stage Launch Vehicle
4.4Specifications of Fourth Stage Launch Vehicle
4.5Specifications of Payload Firing
4.6
Differences in PSLV and GSLV
6.1
Payload summary

8
21
29
31
32
33
35
37
41

NOMENCLATURE

CH4

-Methane

Superscripts
D/ H

-Deuterium to Hydrogen abundance Ratio

Abbreviations
HTPB -Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene
MMH- Monomethylhydrazine
MON3 -Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen
ISRO
-Indian Space Research Organisation
PSLV-Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
GSLV- Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
GTO-Geo-synchronous Transfer
LEO- Low Earth Orbit
SIVTC-Secondary Injection Thrust Vector Control

TTC
-Telemetry Tracking and Commanding
BWG
-Beam Wave Guide
UMDH
-Unsymmetrical Dimethyl hydrazine
LAP
-Lyman Alpha Photometer
MSM
-Methane
Sensor for Mars
MENCAMENCA
-Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser
MCC
-Mars Color Camera
TIS
-Thermal Imaging Spectrometer.
TIR -Thermal Infrared
LEOS
-Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems
SAC
-Space Application Centre
VSSC
-Vikram Sarabhai space Centre
FOV
-Field of View
SOI
-sphere of influence

1. INDRODUCTION TO SPACE
1.1 LAWS OF PLANETRY MOTION
Johannes Kepler, a mathematician and astronomer, formulated basic laws of planetary motion based on his
observation
1. Law of Ellipses: The paths of planets in solar system about the sun are elliptical in shape with the
centre of the sun being located at the focus.
2. Law of Equal Areas: The imaginary line from the centre of the sun to the centre of the planets
sweeps out equal areas in equal intervals of time.
3. Laws of harmonies: The ratio of the square of the orbital period of any two planets is equal to the
ratio of the cubes of their average distance from the sun.
The mass and diameter of the planet are shown in this table 1.1

1.2 UNIVERSAL LAW OF GRAVITATION

The force F2-1 acting on the body of mass m2 due to mass m1 at a distance r away to be attractive and
directed towards the centre of the body m1 as shown in Fig1.1 the magnitude of the force is inversely
proportional to the square of the distance of separation between them. The force is given by

2-1= (Gm1m2
) /
3
The negative sign indicate that force is attractive i.e. m2 is being attracted towards m1 .G is a gravitational
constant and g=6.6701011 Nm2 Kg2.

Fig.1.1 Attraction in the neighborhood of the large sphere

1.3 REQUIREMENT FOR MOTION IN SPACE
The trajectory or path of the motion is referred to orbit. The universal law of gravitation and suitable frame
of reference are used to find the desired orbits and requirement of putting up the spacecraft in orbit. The
orbit could either be elliptical or circular
1.3.1 MOTION IN ROTATING FRAME OF REFERENCE
Consider a body of mass m revolving at a radius R with a constant angular velocity ? around a point o
the x and y coordinates of the mass at any time t are

= -- ? 2R cos ? t

= -- ? 2R sin ? t

F= (? ? 2R cos ? t) 2 + (? ? 2R sin ? t) 2
F= m ? 2 r

This force is directed in the negative R direction. The force is known as centripetal
force and is shown
in Fig.1.2 and the acceleration is called centripetal acceleration = -- ? 2R. A force (pseudo force) acting
equal and opposite to the above centripetal force must be added in order to make the body stationary. The
pseudo force in the rotating frame of reference is called centrifugal force.

Fig.1.2 CENTRIPETAL FORCE

1.3.2 ORBITAL VELOCITY
The body in the rotating frame of reference will experience a force of attraction due to earth and also the
centrifugal reaction, the force of attraction towards the earth is universal gravitational force as shown in Fig
1.3

2-1= (GmME
) /
3 (ME= MASS OF EARTH)
And centripetal reaction acting = m? 2R

10

Fig.1.3 FORCE ON THE ROTATING BODY ON THE ROTATING FRAME

Hence equating both the force
(GmME
) /
3 = m? 2R
The angular velocity from the above equation is
? = (GmME/ R3)

The velocity along the circular path known as orbit velocity

V0=R? = (GmME/ R)
The space craft orbiting around the earth at a height of 200 km has orbital velocity
V0=7.76 km/s
It is clear from the Fig 1.4 that the orbital velocity decrease with increase in altitude. The
Orbital velocity is seen to decrease from a value of about 7.9 km/s at the earths surface to about 2.66km/s at
a height of 50000 km.

11

Altitude (h)
Fig.1.4 VARIATION OF ORBITAL VELOCITY WITH HEIGHT
1.3.3 ORBITAL PERIOD
The time period of revolution for one orbit is

=2R / v0
=2(R3/GME)0.5

=0.304106R1.5
From the Fig1.5 it is clearly understood that the period of revolution increases with increase in altitude. The
time period increases about 1.4 hours at a height of 100km to 35.7 hours at height of 50000 km.
At 35,786 km above the earth, the time period for one orbit is 24 hours (one day)

12

Fig. 1.5 VARIATION OF TIME PERIOD WITH HEIGHT

1.4GEOSYNCHRONOUS AND GEOSTATIONARY ORBITS
The earth rotates from east to west in a counter clockwise direction and complete one rotation in a day.
The angular velocity if the rotation of the earth is ? E = 2 / 24 3600

= 7.273105 rad/s

If a body is in circular orbit with an angular velocity equal to that of earth and also rotate in the same direction as that
of earth from east to west in counter clockwise direction, its movement is synchronous with the rotation of the earth
and it is said to be in geostationary orbit. It will complete one rotation in a day .the radius of geosynchronous orbit RG
is found by equating the angular velocity

2 / 24 3600(? E) = (GmME/ R3)

RG3 = GME/ ?

Substituting the values of G, ME, ?

E , from

2
E

the table The value of RG=42,164 km

With the radius of earth being 6378 km, the geosynchronous altitude would therefore be 42164-6378 =
35786 km above the earth. This can be well understood by the Fig.1.6 if the body is in geostationary orbit it
would appear stationary for the observer at a point.

13

Fig. 1.6 GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT

1.5 ECCENTRICITY AND INCLINATION OF ORBITS
Orbits are not always circular and equatorial plane. An orbit could be elliptical and departure from circular
orbit is known as eccentricity. It is defined as the ratio of distance between the foci to the length of the major
axis of the ellipse. This is shown in fig.1.7

Fig.1.7 ECCENTRICITY OF AN ORBIT

A body get into elliptical orbit if the orbital velocity produced is not equal to the orbital velocity required.
1.5.1 INCLINATION: POLAR AND RETROGRADE ORBIT
The inclination of an orbit is the angle between the orbital plane and the equatorial plane of the planet. An
orbit at inclination of is shown in fig.1.8

14

Fig.1.8 ORBIT INCLINATION

An inclination of zero denotes that orbit is in equatorial plane, i.e. orbital plane and equatorial plane
coincide. An inclination of 90o represent the orbit from pole to pole and is called polar orbit. A circular polar
orbit is shown in Fig.1.9

15

Fig.1.9 POLAR ORBIT

Polar orbit is useful for spacecraft that carry mapping of the planet. This is because as the planet rotates, the
spacecraft has to access to every point on the surface of the planet. In the case of polar orbit about the earth,
16

the sun would maintain the same inclination with line joining the earth and the spacecraft on the orbital
plane remain constant. And this orbit is called sun synchronous orbit
1.5.2 TRANSFER ORBIT
Instead of directly sending the spacecraft to geosynchronous orbit, the spacecraft is initially placed in an
elliptical orbit about the earth. This orbit is known as the geosynchronous transfer orbit about the earth and it
is shown in Fig 1.10. The point of the spacecraft closest to earth is called perigee and farthest is apogee. The
apogee of the elliptical orbit so chosen that it is near to the radius of geosynchronous orbit of 42,164 km.
The perigee is 6,630km. The elliptical transfer orbit is circularized to give the geosynchronous orbit.

Fig.1.10 GEOSYNCHRONOUS TRANSFER ORBIT

1.6 ENERGY AND VELOCITY REQUIREMENT TO REACH A PARTICULAR ORBIT

In order to reach the given orbit from the surface of a planet, work has to be done to overcome attractive
force and centripetal force of the planet.
The total energy required to orbit a body of mass m at an altitude h
ET=GME(RE + 2h) / 2RE(RE + h)
The total velocity VT required for orbiting the body is obtained by
ET = mvT2 / 2
VT= GME(RE + 2h) / 2RE(RE + h)

17

The total energy and velocity requirement to reach particular orbit can be determined by the above equation.
And the variation in total velocity and orbital velocity is shown in Fig 1.11.

Altitude
Fig 1.11 VARIATION OF ORBITTING BODIES AT DIFFERENT ALTITUDE
1.6 ESCAPE VELOCITY
If a body is provided with sufficient velocity to overcome the gravitational attraction, it would reach infinite
radius and escape the attractive force of the planet.
VE= 2GME / RE (DERIVED FROM ENERGY EQUATION)
The value of escape velocity VE=2 V0
The variation of escape velocity with height above the earth is shown in Fig.1.12

18

Fig.1.12 VARIATION OF ESCAPE VELOCITY WITH HEIGHT ABOVE THE EARTH

19

2. OBJECTIVES

2.1 MISSION OBJECTIVE

There are various technological and scientific objectives of sending the Mangalyaan. First and important
objective is to develop technologies for the operation of interplanetary missions. Then after know about the
design of the mars orbital with the capability to survive and perform Earth bound manoeuvres, cruise phase
of 300 days, Mars orbital insertion, space communication, navigation, mission planning and exploration of
mars surface to know about the features of the surface and its atmosphere and also detect the presence of
life.
2.1.1 RESEARCHING MARS ORBIT
The main crucial part is to hit the destination and for this ISRO focuses and study the process of
sending the Mangalyaan into Mars orbit which the huge part ofMOM (Mars Orbital Mission).This launch is
very useful as it helps the ISRO to studymore about Interplanetary missions by developing technologies
which are needed fordesigning, planning, operating and managing the interplanetary missions. That is why
it is so called the technological part of the mission Orbit manoeuvres to transfer the probe from Earthcantered orbit to heliocentric trajectory and finally capture into Martian orbit.
2.1.2 SEARCHING FOR METHANE
One of the main objective of Mangalyaan is to look that whether the methane ispresent on the red planet
or not. Methane is considered as the host chemical fordetermine the possibility of life on mars even in the
form of microbe. The Methanesensor For Mars (MSM) is the main sensor which detects the presence of
methane andconfirms its presence and give the proof of life on Red planet. Methane breaks up in the
presence of ultraviolet solar radiation. Based on photochemical models and on the current understanding of
the composition of the Martian atmosphere, methane has a chemical lifetime of about 300-600 years, which
is very short on geological time scales. This implies that the methane that is observed today cannot have
been produced 4.5 billion years ago, when the planets formed. So what can explain the presence of this gas
on the Red Planet?
If the methane on Mars is biotic, two scenarios could be considered: either long-extinct microbes,
which disappeared millions of years ago, have left the methane frozen in the Martian upper subsurface, or
this gas is being released into the atmosphere today as temperatures and pressure near the surface change.
Methane is also a geological origin. It could be produced, for example, by the oxidation of iron, similar to
what occurs in terrestrial hot springs, or in active volcanoes. This gas could have been trapped in solid forms
of water, or cages that can preserve methane of ancient origin for a long time. These structures are known as
clathrate hydrates
Biological origin of methane would be to measure the isotope ratios of carbon and hydrogen, the two
elements in methane. Life on Earth tends to use lighter isotopes, for example, more Carbon-12 than Carbon13, because this requires less energy for bonding.

2.1.3 DETECTION OF MOISTURE

Mangalayaan also have to detect the moisture content on its surface by clicking the pictures of the Martin
Surface. As it is widely believed that there is the presence of large ice burgs but no water bodies The
Mangalyaan objective is to prove it and if it is proven that the mars in known to be the only planet after
earth to have life-giving liquid.
On the protest of water it is concluded that water would be deposit on Martian surface would evaporates
before it could liquefy .As it warms towards 0C it will evaporates increase rate. The ice loss hear
20

proportionally equal to evaporation rate. The evaporation frost deposit at constant temperature in Martian
atmosphere .so Temperature of Martian could be maintained at 0C .The melting point of ice and the frost
would probably disappears by the temperature reaches the melting point
2.1.4 FINDING OF VARIOUS GASES
Checks the presence of neutral gases in its atmosphere. It alsodetects the presence of Hydrogen and
deuterium which are considered as theessential elements which gives the proof about the presence of water
in the pastand may be also gives the detailed history of water presence.The atmosphere of Mars is 100 about
times thinner than earth and the composition of gases is shown in table 2.1
Table 2.1
The composition of gases
Carbon-di-oxide
Argon
Oxygen

95.32%
1.6%

0.13%

Carbon-mono-oxide 0.08 %
And also small amount of water vapour, nitrogen oxide, Neon, Hydrogen, Krypton and Xeon

2.1.5 FINDING RADIATION

Instruments on Mangalyaan also study the effect of solar radiation on Martin
atmosphere and its surface which may give the reason of decomposing and eroding of
its surface.
Radiation on Mars comes from two sources: galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles. The sun has
had a muted peak to its solar cycle so that affect the expected amount of particles on Mars. But the Mars
Curiosity rover, in its first 300 Earth days of roaming, has plenty of data on galactic cosmic rays.
On the Martian surface, the average dose is about 0.67 mSv per day.
2.2 SCIENCE OBJECTIVES
The scientic objectives deal with the following major aspects:
Exploration of Mars surface features by studying the morphology, topography and mineralogy using
specic scientic instruments.
Study the constituents of Martian atmosphere like methane, CO2, etc. using remote sensing techniques
Study the dynamics of upper atmosphere of Mars, effects of solar winds and radiation and the escape of
volatiles to space.

21

3. CHALLENGES IN SPACE MISSION

Since time immemorial undertaking developments in technologies have always been
challenging and same is the case with space technologies. Over a period of time, various space technologies
particularity in the fields of communication, navigation, remote sensing etc. have reached to a certain level
of maturity. However, in the fields like deep space much needs to be achieved in regards to technology. For
many years, humans have ambition to reach Mars and subsequently to establish human colonies over there.
Presently none of the space-faring states are even somewhat close to realise this dream. Mars offers the
greatest challenge for the rocket scientists, space scientists, aerospace engineers and astronomers. Hence, for
any state developing the missions, the Mars mission would always have to face challenges at various planes.
The scientists basically have to confront situation in regards to the technological challenges and at times the
challenges posed by the nature.
The success rate in case of various Mars missions undertaken so far is not encouraging (approximately 1 in 3
becomes successful); hence, the scientific community over a period of time has become well aware of the
challenges. They have become aware of the fact that strategic knowledge gaps do exit and are trying their
bests to overcome them.
Over the years, it has been observed that the different categories of Mars missions has their own set of
challenges. Flyby, orbiter, rover and lander missions have few common challenges while there are also
many mission-specific challenges. For a spacecraft to navigate through weather, gravity and radiation for a
longer distance and survive for minimum of 1 year and keep the communication alive with the earth stations
is extremely challenging. Historically, it has been witnessed that space agencies learn from the successes
and misfortunes of previous missions but at times in spite of taking all precautions based on the previous
experiences they end up is experiencing some new set of challenges. Hence it is also important to remain
prepared to address surprises.
The unmanned missions are expected to encounter various environmental and technological challenges
while the human missions could face technical, physical, and psychological challenges. Human Mars
missions (when it happens) risks of radiation exposure, de-conditioning and the psychological impacts of
isolation. There are very many challenges in devising human missions to Mars. ISRO had their own
experiences in the deep space area with their Moon mission. Following paragraphs indicates that how ISRO
overcame some of those challenges.

3.1 Power Systems

The power system required to support the mission during various phases of mission like
transfer orbit and on-orbit phase. The power system consists of power Generation, energy storage and power
conditioning elements. One of the major challenges in the design of power system is due to the larger
distance from Sun the dependence on solar energy reduces. The Sun is a very powerful, clean and
convenient source of power, particularly for satellites. The only thing needed is a means to convert the
energy contained in the suns radiation into electrical power. The most efficient way to achieve this today is
by using panels composed of semiconductor photovoltaic cells. These were first used in space in 1958 to
power the Vanguards satellite.
Mars is the last planet in the solar system where solar power generation can be used
effectively. The power generation in Mars orbit is reduced to nearly 50 % compared to Earths orbit. Due to
the eccentricity of Mars orbit around sun, the power generation variation is nearly 15 % . If one Watt is
power generation when Earth is at perihelion, 0.35 W will be the power generation when Mars is at
aphelion. The ordeal for the scientific community is to cater for such power generation variations at different
distances and in different orbits. Also, there are specific requirements for powering the spacecraft during
eclipse phase and payload data download phases. ISRO made specific provisions to cater for such challenges
and they succeeded it. Nothing can change its sate or position without energy. Just like many other
machines, satellites also need electrical power to function.
22

What happens when the sun is hidden?

Solar power generation is very convenient in space, especially because there are no
clouds and the sun never sets. Or does it? Satellites orbiting planets through a shadow region on the opposite
side of the earth from the sun. Depending on the type of orbit, this can happen just a few times a year. These
are so called eclipses. The solar panels cannot produce electrical energy and the satellite would not only
be unable to operate, but would also freeze to incredibly low temperature. Therefore, electrical energy has to
be stored. They can be stored in rechargeable batteries or electrical accumulators.
3.2 Communication Systems
The communication systems for the Mars mission are responsible for the challenging task of
communication management at a distance of nearly 200400 million km. For one way communication (from
earth station to Mars orbiter and back), it would take approximately 20-min time. Hence, ISRO would have
to cater for 40 min delay in the communications and make the planning accordingly to the receiver. To cater
for such requirements ISRO has invested into the Telemetry, Tracking and Commanding (TTC) systems and
Data transmission systems. For this purpose, ISRO has developed a major infrastructure for the antenna
system constituting of low, medium and high gain antennas. In fact, a major structure was erected during the
Moon mission (2008) and that has been upgraded to cater for the requirements related to Mars.
3.3 Ground Segment
To support such a complex mission, it is essential to have a state-of-art ground
infrastructure available to realise the operational communications between a control centre and a spacecraft.
This being Indias second deep space mission luckily; the ground station is in place but in regards to
distance as compared to Moon, and Mars is a quantum jump. The Indian Deep Space Network station
(IDSN32), a 32-m-diameter network antenna system located in Byalalu , Bangalore, was established with a
view to meet, not only the requirements of Chandrayaan-1 mission, but also ISROs future missions to
Mercury, Venus and up to Mars . So, the specifications of IDSN-32 are arrived such that it will be able to
cater TTC and science data reception functionalities for a mission to Mars. The hallmark of Indian DSN
facility is the state-of-the-art technology 32-m-diameter Beam Wave Guide (BWG) antenna that had been
indigenously designed, developed and installed to support all future deep space missions of ISRO. For Mars
mission certain amount of mission-specific modifications have been carried out keeping in view the
requirements of this mission. To manage a deep space mission for 24 hours, the geometry necessitates the
support of minimum two ground stations: one located in eastern and other in western hemispheres. Ground
support from JPL-NASA stations is envisaged to support the mission in addition to IDSN support.
The long coasting of PSLV PS4 stage for 1644s before PS4 operation requires two portable sea-borne Sband terminals to be deployed in Pacific Ocean to monitor PS4 and satellite separation.
3.4 Propulsion Systems
A spacecraft propulsion system is a method used to accelerate the spacecraft
(satellite), and there are different ways to do this with each having some advantages as well as limitations.
Reaching Mars could be viewed as one of the most challenging task for the rocket scientists. This mission
being first attempt by ISRO to reach such a distance, they are putting significant amount of efforts to
develop their systems. Their propulsion systems embody the truly enabling technology for departing earth
and reaching the Mars. The Mars Orbiter Mission propulsion system has its heritage from GEO mission and
consists of a unified bipropellant system for orbit raising and attitude control. It consists of one 440-N
Liquid Engine (LE440) and 8 numbers of 22-N thrusters. The propellants are stored in Titanium propellant
tanks each with a capacity of 390 L pressurised with Helium gas. The tanks have combined storage capacity
up to 850 kg propellant. The 67 litre helium pressurant tank is used to pressurise the propellant. The 22-N
thrusters are used for attitude control during the various phases of the mission like orbit raising using liquid
engine, attitude maintenance, Martian orbit maintenance (if any) and momentum dumping. As the last few
LE burns around Mars are to occur after 10 months of launch (this is because it would take 300 days, time to
reach Mars), suitable isolation techniques are adopted to prevent fuel/oxidiser migration issues. For around
300 days the craft has to experience the vagaries of space weather including the radiation. The biggest
challenge is that after undertaking the journey of 9/10 months the all systems of the orbiter need to restart
and function properly.
23

3.5 On-board Autonomy:

On-board autonomy refers to the capacity of the orbiter to make its own decisions
about its actions. As the distance between the Mars Orbiter and earth increases, the need for autonomy
increases dramatically. Given an average round trip time (to and fro) from earth to Mars of approximately 40
min, it would be impractical to micromanage a mission from Earth. Due to this communications delay,
mission support personnel on Earth cannot easily monitor and control all the spacecraft systems in real-time
basis. Therefore, it is configured to use on-board autonomy to automatically manage the nominal and nonnominal scenarios on-board the spacecraft. Autonomy is in charge of the spacecraft when communication
interruptions occur when the spacecraft it occulted by planet Mars or sun. Autonomy also ensures the
recovery from safe mode occurrences on-board the spacecraft.
3.6 Weather
The weather on Mars is unpredictable. One week, the sky is pink and cloudless,
filled with windblown dust raised from the rusty Martian surface. By Martian standards, it's warm, about
minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, in a matter of days, the dust is swept from the atmosphere, temperatures
plummet 40 degrees, and brilliant water ice clouds appear against a dark blue sky.
Dramatic weather changes like these may not seem very different from a batch of severe thunderstorms
passing through your home town, but for Mars these changes can sweep over the entire planet every week. It
appears that Mars' roller coaster-like weather is more chaotic and unpredictable than scientists first thought.
Observations by the Hubble Space Telescope and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO)
radio telescope at Kitt Peak, Ariz., show that the atmosphere of Mars is more complex and variable than the
picture revealed by the Viking and Mariner 9 orbiters. These spacecraft collected information from the
planet in the 1970's and painted a fairly one-dimensional picture of Mars' climate. Images snapped by the
orbiters revealed huge dust storms spreading throughout the entire atmosphere when Mars was closest to the
sun (perihelion). These dusty conditions continued to dominate the planet's climate when it was farthest
from the sun (aphelion).
But information captured by Hubble and NRAO show that Mars is more often cloudy than
dusty, experiencing abrupt planet-wide swings between dusty and hot and cloudy and cold. A state of
emergency would be declared on Earth if an ice or dust storm blanketed the entire planet. These shifts in
climate are driven by three important factors: Mars' thin atmosphere, its elliptical orbit around the sun, and
strong climatic interactions between dust and water ice clouds in the atmosphere. Mars' atmosphere is so
thin that it weighs less than 1 percent of Earth's atmosphere. Because Mars' atmosphere is so paper-thin and
there are no oceans to store up heat from the sun, the planet's temperatures respond more quickly and
intensely to surface changes and atmospheric heating by the sun. There are also much larger annual changes
in sunlight falling on Mars than on Earth, because Mars' distance from the sun varies by 20 percent in its
orbit around the sun every two years.
Mars' elliptical orbit leads to planet-wide changes in atmospheric and surface temperatures over the course
of a Mars year. During perihelion, when Mars is closest to the sun (summer in the southern hemisphere), the
planet receives 40 percent more sunlight than during aphelion, when it is farthest from the sun (summer in
the northern hemisphere). This annual variation in sunlight causes 35-degree Fahrenheit increases during
southern summer (perihelion), forcing continental-scale dust storms at the planet's surface. The dust is swept
aloft to altitudes of tens of miles, where it spreads globally, absorbs light from the sun, and heats the entire
atmosphere by another 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This dusty perihelion climate was observed by Viking
and Mariner 9 and by NRAO in 1992, 1994, and 1996.
It has been emphasised that for Mars Orbiter Martian atmosphere, real-time climate conditions and radiation
could pose some challenges. ISRO prepared to handle the challenges of bad weather (if any) on ground and
extending to stratosphere (50/60 km above the earths surface), during the launch phase. From the suitability
of weather point of view, month of November is not the most appropriate time to plan the launch. However,
because of the astronomical compulsions ISRO had no options but to abide by the available launch window.
3.7 Comet Strike:
When Indias mission is its final stages of preparations, suddenly a new challenge
has arisen and this is not a technological challenge, but a challenge of entirely different nature which
24

normally no one could have even imagined to occur.NASA has predicted that there is an outside chance that
a newly discovered comet might be on a collision course with Mars. Astronomers determined the trajectory
of the comet, named C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring), but at the very least, it came fairly close to the Red Planet
in October of 2014. The nucleus of the comet is probably 13 km in diameter, and it is approached fast,
around 56 km/s (125,000 mph) speed. If it does hit Mars, then it is likely to deliver as much energy as 35
million megatons of TNT (may be leave a crater about 500 km wide and 2 km deep). For comparison, the
asteroid striked Earth 65 million years ago was about three times as powerful, 100 million megatons. The
Mars comet is packing 80 million times more energy than that relatively puny meteor. Initially, the scientists
were putting the odds of likely impact at 1 in 2000 and subsequently to about 1 in 8,000. However, based on
Apr 7, 2013, data set it has been calculated that the chances of the comet impacting the Red Planet are about
1 in 120,000. This comet which was only discovered on Jan 3, 2013 was posing a major challenge for the
India decision makers. What was at stake was the Indian investments of about US$ 83 million. But now the
recent assessment must have given a breather to Indias mission managers!
. Most comets have presence of methane in their tails. One of the important scientific objectives of the
Indias mission is assessment in regards to methane in Martian atmosphere. Amongst Indias five payloads,
one is the methane sensor for Mars (MSN). There is a good chance that this MSN payload may confuse the
methane it detects from the comet as that of Mars and transmit wrong data. Such data could be misleading.
This knowledge of the likely presence of the comet close to Mars offers a challenge to the ISROs scientific
community and they would have to factor this possibility in their mission planning.
3.8 Overall Mission Intricacies:
Indias mission could be viewed as simple mission in comparison with the most of other
missions launched so far. However, it is important to note that since globally very few missions have
succeeded so far, hence many scientists all over the word are keenly monitored Indian investment in the
Mars project. They felt that there is much to learn from the way India has devised this project and are keenly
looking forward for the information which could be made available.
For ISRO, Mars mission is a technology demonstrator until the craft successfully reached Mars. Hence,
there could be different set of challenges when the mission reached Mars. There would be five different
payloads undertaking various observations. Every payload has a specific role. There exists a possibility
some unknown technological challenges from sensor malfunction to communication breakdown could
emerge at any point in time.

25

4. LAUNCH VEHICLE
4.1 INTRODUCTION TO PSLV
PSLV, is commonly known as polar launch satellite vehicle and it is used for launching the remote sensing
satellites into orbits. The systems are developed by ISRO inertial system unit (IISU)at Thiruvanathapuram.
PSLV is the most successful operational launch vehicle of ISRO. There had been 22 continuously successful
flights of PSLV, till February 2013.As of 2014 the PSLV has launched 71 spacecraft (31 Indian and 40
foreign satellites) into a variety of orbits. PSLV has successfully undertaken Sun-synchronous, Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and low inclination missions in the past. The height of PSLV launch
vehicle is 44.4 metres tall and a weight of 295 tonnes. The capacity of launch vehicle differs, if PSLV is to
launched in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) the capacity will be around 3200 kilograms, if it is to be launched in
Sun- synchronous Orbit (HCO) the capacity will be around 1600 kilograms, if it is to be launched in Geosynchronous Orbit (GTO) the capacity will be around 1400 kilograms. PSLV continues to be the workhouse
of INDIAN REMOTE SENSING satellites especially for Low Earth Orbits(LEO).PSLV has four stages
using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately[Fig.4.1].The vehicle can fly in three different
configurations to adjust for mission requirements. The first stage is solid-fuel rocket booster,the booster
develops a maximum thrust.To perform PSLV launch in standard mode, cluster of six strap-on[Fig.4.2] is
attached to the first stage motor, four of which are ignited on the ground and two are air-lit[Fig.4.3].The
second stage is liquid fuelled while the third stage is a solid rocket motor. The Upper Stage of the PSLV
uses liquid Propellant.

26

Fig.4.1-Configurations of PSLV

4.1.1STAGES OF PSLV
FIRST STAGE
The first stage of the PSLV, is a solid fuelled rocket stage. It is 20.34 meters long and 2.8 meters in
diameter with an empty mass of 30,200 Kilograms. The stage contains 138,000kg of HTPB
(Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) bound propellant at liftoff. PS1 has a vacuum thrust of 4,860
Kilonewton [Table 4.1]
First stage attitude control is provided by a Secondary Injection Thrust Vector Control (SITVC) for
yaw and pitch. For SITVC, Strontium Perchlorate is used as a secondary fluid that is injected from
the side into the Hypersonic Flow in the nozzle, causing a lateral thrust element that is precisely
steered for attitude control. The SITVC fluid is stored in two cylindrical aluminium tanks strapped to
the core stage. The tanks are pressurized with Nitrogen. Roll control is provided by two Roll Control
Thrusters that are mounted radially on opposite sides of the core stage between the Solid Rocket
Boosters.
The first stage burns for 105 sec and is separated at an altitude of 76 KM by a flexible linear shaped
charge. Separation motors are used to ensure the first stage moves away from the second stage before
it ignites.

27

Fig.4.2-First stage of PSLV with six strap-on Motors surrounding it

Table4.1-Specifications of First Stage Launch Vehicle

Type

PS1

Inert Mass

30,200kg

Launch Mass

168,200kg

Diameter

2.8m

Length

20.34m

Propellant

Solid - HTPB Based

Fuel Mass

138,00kg

Propulsion

PS1 Solid Rocket Motor

Thrust (Vacuum)

4,860Kn

Impulse

269s

Burn Time

105sec

Restart Capability

No
28

Attitude Control

SITVC (Pitch&Yaw), Roll RCS

Stage Separation

Flexible Linear Shaped Charge

Separation Motors

Fig:4.3, PSLV with four strap of which are ignited on the ground and two strap are air-lit
SECOND STAGE
The second stage of the PSLV rocket is 2.8 meters in diameter, 12.8 meters long and has a liftoff mass of
46,000 Kilograms with an empty mass of 5,300 Kilograms. The stage uses Unsymmetrical DiMethylhydrazine / Hydrazine Hydrate as fuel and Nitrogen Tetroxide as oxidizer. It is powered by a single
799-Kilonewton Vikas engine. The engine has a dry weight of 900 Kilograms and operates at a chamber
pressure of 58.5 bar and provides a specific impulse of 294 sec. The second stage burns for 158 seconds
[Table4.2]. Vehicle control during second stage flight is accomplished by gimbaling the main engine up to 4
degrees, and roll control is provided by a Hot Gas Reaction Control Motor. Second stage separation is
accomplished with a merman band system and separation motors [Fig:4.4]

29

Fig:4.4 second stage of PSLV

Table 4.2-Specifications of Second Stage Launch Vehicle

Type

PS2

Diameter

2.8m

Length

12.8m

Inert Mass

5,300kg

Launch Mass

46,000kg

Fuel

Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine

Oxidizer

Nitrogen Tetroxide

Propellant Mass

40,700kg

Propulsion

1 Vikas

Thrust

799Kn

Impulse

293s

Engine Dry Weight

900kg

Burn Time

158sec

Chamber Pressure

58.5bar

Mixture Ratio

1.7 (Ox/Fuel)

Area Ratio

31

Prop Flow Rate

278.04kg/s

Attitude Control

Main Engine Gimbaling, Roll RCS

Stage Separation

Merman Band, Sep Motors

30

THIRD STAGE
The third stage in PSLV is a solid rocket motor that also uses an HTPB based propellant. The third stage of
the PSLV launcher has a reduced diameter of 2.02 meter and a length of 3.54 meters. It has an empty mass
of 1,100 Kilograms and a liftoff weight of up to 7,800 Kilograms. The stage has a burn time of 112 seconds
during which it generates a thrust of 244 Kilo Newton[Table-4.3].The stage has a Kevlar-polyamide fibre
case and a submerged nozzle equipped with a flex-bearing-seal gimballed nozzle that can be gimballed by
up to 2 degrees for Thrust Vector Control. Roll control is provided by the Reaction Control System of the
fourth stage. The third stage separates at an altitude of 580 Kilometres.[Fig:4.5]

Fig.4.5-combinations of third and fourth stages

Table4.3-Specifications of Third Stage Launch Vehicle
Type
Diameter
Length
Inert Mass
Launch Mass
Propellant
Propellant Mass
Propulsion
Thrust
Impulse
Burn Time
Attitude Control
Separation

PS3
2.02m
3.54m
1,100kg
7,800kg
Solid - HTTP Based
6,700kg
S-7
244kN
294s
112sec
4th Stage RCS
Ball Lock

31

FOURTH STAGE
The Upper Stage of the PSLV launcher is liquid fuelled using Monomethylhydrazine fuel and Mixed Oxides
of Nitrogen as an oxidizer. The stage is 2.02 meters in diameter and has a length of 2.60 meters with an
empty mass of 920 Kilograms. It contains 2,000 Kilograms of propellant when flying on the regular and XL
configuration and 1,600 Kilograms when flying atop the CA configuration. The fourth stage is powered by
two L-2-5 engines, each producing a thrust of 7.4kN and a specific impulse of 309 sec [Table-4.4]. The
engines can be gimbaled by up to 3 degrees for pitch and yaw control while roll control is provided by the
Reaction Control System. The RCS is also used during coast periods and to re-orient the vehicle for
spacecraft separation. The fourth stage has a variable burn time depending on the mission profile. It can
support burns of up to nine minutes.
The fourth stage also houses the Equipment Bay of the vehicle containing the inertial guidance system and
flight computer (Vikram 1601) as well as telemetry and avionics equipment.[Fig:3.5]
Table. 4.4-Specifications of Fourth Stage Launch Vehicle
Type

PS4

Diameter

2.02m

Length

2.60m

Inert Mass

920kg

Launch Mass

2,920kg (Regular, XL), 2,520kg (CA)

Fuel

Monomethylhydrazine

Oxidizer

MON3 (Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen)

Propellant Mass 2,000kg (Regular, XL), 1,600kg (CA)

Propulsion

2 L-2-5

Total Thrust

14.6Kn

Impulse

308s

Chamber Pressure 8.4bar

Engine Diameter 0.66m
Burn Time

Variable, Up to 525sec

Area Ratio

60

Attitude control

Reaction Control System

Separation

Ball Lock

32

4.1.2 PAYLOAD FIRING

The Payload Firing, or "Heat Shield" is positioned on top of the stacked vehicle and its integrated Payload. It
protects the spacecraft against aerodynamic, thermal and acoustic environments that the vehicle experiences
during atmospheric flight. When the launcher leave the atmosphere, the firing is integrated by pyrotechnical
initiated systems. Separating the firing as early as possible increases launcher performance.The typical
PSLV Payload Firing is 3.2 meters in diameter, 8.3 meters long and weighs 1,150 Kilograms. It consists of
two all-aluminium halves that consist of different section. On top, the firing has a spherical nose cone and a
conical section at the forward end. A long cylindrical and a short conical boat-tail follow. The conical
sections are stiffened semi-monocoque structures and the cylindrical section is and integrally stiffened
isogrid structure made up of three 1.5-meter panels.[TABLE 4.5]
The payload firing features a controlled environment and Payload purge supply as well as acoustic
absorption blankets. Additionally, the firing can be outfitted with RF windows.
The firing is separated about 165 seconds into the flight at an altitude of 130 Kilometres. Separation is
accomplished by a linear piston cylinder separation and jettisoning mechanism (zip cord) running along the
full length of the PLF and a clamp and joint at the base of the firing. Both systems are pyrotechnically
initiated. The gas pressure generated by the zip cord expands a rubber bellow that pushes that piston and
cylinder apart, pushing the firing halves laterally away from the launcher.[Fig.4.6]

Fig-4.6-Payload

Table 4.5-Specifications of Payload Firing

Diameter

3.2m

Length

8.3m

33

Mass

1,150kg

Separation

Piston Cylinder Mechanism

Clamp Band

Construction Aluminum Alloy, Semi Monocoque

Spherical Nose Cap, Forward
Conical Section, Cylindrical Section,
Conical Boat-tail

4.2 PSLV-XLC25
In case of mangalyaan , extended model PSLV-XL is used. PSLV-XL version is boosted by more powerful,
stretched strap on boosters and allows putting additional 200 kg payload (total 1,800 kg) in space.. The first
version of PSLV-XL had successfully launched Indias first Moon mission called Chandrayaan-1.The
success of Chandrayaan-1 has demonstrated that ISROs existing launch vehicle technology with some
additional modifications is capable of undertaking an unmanned mission to a celestial body. ISRO has the
capability of launching spacecraft to Mars with the existing Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL
c25),[Fig-4.7]which is a proven launcher technology. To launch a spacecraft to Mars, in general, two major
options could be considered: one a fly-by mission, and second, the orbiter missions. Comparatively, the
complicities are more with the orbiter missions. However, an orbiter, in an orbit of very long time period,
offers the opportunity to study Mars for a considerably longer period as compared to a spacecraft in a fly-by
mission. Hence, ISRO went in the favour of planning Mars orbiter capability. It needs to be noted that the
PSLV has few limitations to undertake missions like Mars mission particularly it has very limited weight
weight carrying capability. For November 2013, Mars mission launch the ISRO would be using PSLV-XL, a
novel mission (C-25) design carried out, wherein a spacecraft mass of 1,350 kg would be placed in an
elliptical orbit of 370 km by 80,000 km. This means that the mission would go round the Mars in an
elliptical path closest at 370 km and farthest at 80,000 km. Total five different sensors with a combined
payload of 15 kg would be undertaking various observations.

34

Fig.4.7-The complete assembly of PSLV XL-C25 launch vehicle

4.3 WHY PSLV-XL IS PREFERED IN MANGALYAAN INSTEAD OF GSLV

*The main reason behind the advent of the GSLV is the capability to lift greater loads into space. While the
PSLV can only lift slightly over a ton of payload to GTO (Geostationary Transfer Orbit), the GSLV is
capable of lifting more than double that with a rated capacity of 2 to 2.5 tons. One of the main reasons why
the GSLV has such an increased load is its utilization of a cryogenic rocket engine for its last stage. The
cryogenic rocket engine provides more thrust than conventional liquid rocket engines but the fuel and
oxidizer needs to be super cooled in order to keep them in a liquid state.
*In order to reach geosynchronous orbit, the GSLV needs more power than the PSLV could supply.
*The GSLV uses cryogenic engine, but PSLV uses Vikas engine, GSLV is used only for launching large
satellites [Table-4.6].

35

Table4.6-Different
Different Stages in PSLV and GSLV

*PSLV is a launch vehicle primarily used for launching satellites in the low earth orbit or the polar orbit. A
version of the PSLV can be used to launch 1 ton plus satellites in the GTO. GSLV is primarily for launching
satellites to the GTO (communication satellites) and can inject a 2 ton satellite into orbit. It is a larger and
more powerful vehicle than the PSLV but had reliability issues
issues which are being worked out.
*The Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft which weighs in at a little over 1300 kg was just tthe heaviest payload
that the PSLV-XL
XL could put into a GTO. While the GSLV could carry more payload and maybe even
provide direct injection capabilities. For a direct injection to reach Mars it requiress more Earths escape
velocity (11.2 km/s). If the GSLV was proven and employed in case of Mangalyaan, it would still have been
a more expensive mission to launch a similar payload because the PSLV has a lower unit
unit-payload cost.
* In the case of the Mars Orbiter Mission,
Mission the trajectory design is frugal. Insteadd of putting the craft directly
on course into a Trans-Martian
Martian Trajectory( called direct injection),
injec
it uses parking
parking orbit
orbit.

36

5.SPACECRAFT
The 1,337-Kilogram spacecraft carried a suite of five instruments to study Mars, its atmosphere and to
acquire photos of the Red Planet. The Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft was largely based on the
Chandrayaan-1 Moon Orbiter featuring the same core structure and spacecraft systems. The Mangalyaan
spacecraft bus is cuboid in shape featuring composite and metallic honeycomb sandwich panels and a
central composite cylinder that facilitates all spacecraft equipment that is mounted on the panels as well as
the cylinder. The spacecraft has a dry mass of 475 Kilograms including a payload mass of 15 Kilograms and
it carried a fuel load of 852 Kilograms.

Fig 5.1 Spacecraft

The spacecraft was equipped with a single deployable solar array that consists of three panels each
being 1.4 by 1.8 meters in size. The assembly also included a yoke and drive mechanism. The solar array
will provide 840 Watts of electrical power at Mars that is fed to a power distribution unit that will provide
power to the various systems and payloads and controls the state of charge of a 36-Amp-hour battery for
night passes.

5.1 Liquid Apogee Motor:

TheMain Propulsion System is centered around the Liquid Apogee Motor which has become the Indian
workhorse on Geostationary Satellites. Mangalyaan ensured that the engine can still fire after a 300-day
coast to Mars for the orbit insertion maneuver. LAM would provide 440 Newtons of thrust which equates to
37

44.87 Kilograms. The engine operates and an mixture ratio (O/F) of 1.65 and has a nozzle ratio of 160
providing a specific impulse of 3,041N*sec/ kg . The engines injector is a co-axial swirl element made of
titanium while the thrust chamber is constructed of Columbium alloy that is radiatively cooled. Electron
welding technique is used to mate the injector to the combustion chamber. LAM is a robust engine that can
tolerate injection pressures of 0.9 to 2.0 MPa, propellant temperatures of 0 to 65C, mixture ratios of 1.2 to
2.0 and bus voltages of 28 to 42 Volts. The engine is certified for long firings of up to 3,000 seconds and a
cumulative firing time of >23,542 seconds.

5.2 Propulsive Attitude Control System:

MOM was equipped with a propulsive Attitude Control System consisting of eight 22 Newton thrusters that
also uses UMDH and MON-3 propellants. The thruster also uses a co-axial swirl type .Titanium alloy
injector and a Columbium combustion chamber. The thrusters will operate in blowdown mode at a chamber
pressure of 0.68 Mpa creating a specific impulse of 2,780 N*sec/kg. The 22N thrusters have an area ratio of
100. It can be operated in pulse mode with a minimum pulse duration of 8 milliseconds that supplies a
minimum impulse of 65mN*sec. Each 22N thruster assembly weighs 0.8 Kilograms. The 22N thruster is
qualified for 300,000 duty cycles as it is mostly operated in pulse mode, but it can also withstand a single
burn of up to 10,000 seconds and a cumulative burn time of 70,000 seconds. The engine tolerates a variety
of operating conditions: 0.9 to 1.9 MPa on injection pressure, 0.2 to 2.0 on mixture ratio, -5 to 65C on prop
temperature and 28 to 42 Volts on bus voltage. In addition to a propulsive Attitude Control System, the
MOM spacecraft was equipped with four reaction wheels. Attitude and navigation data is provided by two
star trackers and gyros as well as a coarse Sun sensor with nine heads. Attitude data is also provided by an
Inertial Reference Unit and Accelerometer Package. The spacecraft features a dual redundant bus
management unit for attitude control and command processing and execution. The Attitude and Orbit
Control Electronics are centered around a MAR31750 processor.
5.3 Antenna:
Mangalyaan is equipped with a 2.2-meter diameter High Gain Antenna which is a parabolic X-Band
reflector antenna that is used for data downlink and command uplink. Science data and spacecraft telemetry
is stored in two 16Gb Solid State Recorders aboard the vehicle for downlink during regular communications
sessions. Low and Medium Gain Antennas are used for low-bandwidth communications such as command
uplink and systems telemetry downlink.

38

6. Mission Payloads
The term payload could be defined as the carrying capacity of a spacecraft and this could include cargo,
extra fuel and scientific instruments. These payloads perform the core functions of the satellite.
Over the years, the payload sensors for various satellites have been designed for specific purposes like
photography, meteorological information and reconnaissance.
Optimal selection and specification of satellite payloads is the biggest challenge for satellite mission.
Each payload is designed to perform certain functions over its useful lifetime.
6.1 Complications in selection of payloads
1. Different payload types have different levels of importance
2. Satellite payloads age and deteriorate over time due to the harsh space environment in which they operate
3. All payload launch decisions are subject to various constraints form weight to budget
4. The selected payloads must be assigned certain engineering specifications to ensure their compatibility
with the satellite bus
5. The composition of payload should match with the overall mission objective.
Payloads needs to be decided in such a way that they would help to know more about the structure of the
planet and nature of surface, meteorological conductions in and around the planet, various geological aspects
of the planet, study the surface of the planet and identifying the presence of water.
This being Indias first mission to Mars the real challenge is to reach to such a long distance and then
undertake observations. The main focus of the mission is technological aspect of the travel. The mission also
has a well-developed scientific agenda and five specifically designed payloads have been identified as the
travels for this mission. ISRO had received nearly twenty scientific payload proposals from various Centres
of ISRO and department of space. The basic purpose behind all these payloads has been to address the
science of understanding the Mars atmosphere and its dynamics.
The science objectives of the proposals focus on two major aspects: one, to look at the surface features
like morphology, topography and mineralogy and second, to study the atmospheric reservoir, composition
of gas, dust, ice, clouds and their dynamics. Also, the aim is to know the interaction of atmosphere with
solar radiation and the resultant photochemistry, plasma interactions and loss processes. Most proposals
have a mass budget within 23 kg.
6.2 Payloads
Based on the technical and scientific appreciation of their mission and giving due credit to the
pronounced scientific aims of the mission, finally, five payloads have been selected by ISRO to visit Mars.
For the November 2013 mission, there would be three electro-optical payloads operating in the visible
and thermal infrared spectral ranges, a photometer to sense the Mars atmosphere and surface and a mass
spectrometer. These payloads are as follows:
1. Lyman Alpha Photometer (LAP)
2. Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM)
3. Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA)
4. Mars Color Camera (MCC)
5. Thermal Imaging Spectrometer (TIS).
The list of payloads indicating purpose, mass and objectives are summarised in the Table6.1.
ISRO has an independent Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems called LEOS. This unit of ISRO is
engaged in design, development and production of Electro-Optic sensors and camera optics for satellites and
launch vehicles. The sensors include star trackers, earth sensors, sun sensors and processing electronics.
The Space Application Centre of ISRO has provided the majority of the payloads for this mission. SAC
focuses on the design of space-borne instruments for ISRO missions and development and operationalisation
of applications of space technology for national development.SAC designs and develops all the transponders
for the INSAT and GSAT series of communication satellites and the optical and microwave sensors for IRS
39

series of remote sensing satellites.

Table 6.1 payload summary
Science
Theme

payload

Atmospheric
studies

LAP
MSM

MENCA
Plasma
And particle
environmental
studies
Surface
imaging
studies

MCC

TIR

Primary
Mass
objectives
(kg)
It measure D/H 1.5
ratio.

Development
centre
(LEOS)
Bangalore

Measure
Methane in the
martian
atmosphere
with
high
accuracy.
Map
neutral
composition in
exosphere,
martian upper
atmosphere
Optical colour
imaging. It will
take pictures in
red, green and
blue
colours.
The camera will
help
to
understand
Martian
dust
storms
Thermal remote
sensing. It will
map the surface
and
mineral
composition of
Mars.

3.0

(SAC)
Ahmedabad

4.3

(VSSC)Trivandrum

1.4

(SAC)
Ahmedabad

(SAC)
Ahmedabad

6.2.1 Lyman Alpha Photometer

Lyman Alpha Photometer is an absorption cell photometer. It measures the relative abundance of deuterium
and hydrogen from Lyman-alpha emission in the Martian upper atmosphere. Measurement of D/ H allows us
to understand especially the loss process of water from the planet (Fig.6.1).
The objectives of this instrument are as follows:
(a) Estimation of D/H ratio
(b) Estimation of escape flux of H2 corona
(c) Generation of Hydrogen and Deuterium coronal profiles.
40

Nominal plan to operate LAP is between the ranges of approximately 3,000 km before Mars periapsis to
3,000 km after Mars periapsis. Minimum observation duration for achieving LAPs science goals is 60 min
per orbit during normal range of operation.

Fig. 6.1 View of LAP

Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen and it is believed by many that nearly alldeuterium found in nature
was producedin the Big Bang. So Deuterium is expected to be inabundance over Mars.

6.2.2
.2.2 Methane Sensor for Mars
This payload is a Methane sensor. MSM is designed
d
to measure Methane in the Martian atmosphere with
ppb (parts-per-billion)
billion) accuracy and map its sources. Data is acquired only over illuminated scene as the
sensor measures reflected solar radiation. Methane concentration in the Martian atmosphere undergoes
spatial and temporal
ral variations. Hence, global data are collected during every orbit. Since FOV of MSM is
less, scanning is essential. Seven Apoareion Imaging scans of entire disc and Periareion Imaging are
planned as it scans over the Periareion in every orbit (Fig.6.2).
(Fig.6.2

Fig. 6.2 MSM view

Presence of trace amounts of methane on Mars has been reported by some of the NASA missions
missions. So, To
know more about the methane aspects of Mars is important in this mission.. The reason for Mars methane
could be non-biological
biological or biological processes. There are three possible sources of Methane on Mars;
cometary impacts, geology and biology. If the reasons are biological, then further research to know more
41

about the presence of life on Mars would have to be undertaken.

6.2.3 Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser
MENCA(Fig.6.3) is a quadruple mass spectrometer capable of analysing the neutral composition in the
range of 1300 amu with unit mass resolution. The heritage of this payload is from Chandrayan-1 mission.
MENCA is planned to perform five observations per orbit.

Fig. 6.3 Details of MENCA

6.2.4 Mars Colour Camera
This tricolour Mars Colour Camera(Fig.6.4) gives images and information about the surface features and
composition of Martian surface. They are useful to monitor the dynamic events and weather of Mars like
dust storms/atmospheric turbidity. MCC will also be used for probing the two satellites of MarsPhobos
and Deimos.MCC would be providing the context information for other science payloads. MCC images are
to be acquired whenever MSM and TIS data is acquired. Seven Apoareion Imaging of entire disc and
multiple Periareion images of 540 9 540 km snaps are planned in every orbit.

Fig. 6.4 MCC equipment

6.2.5 Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS)
TIS measures the thermal emission and can be operated during both day and night. It would map surface
42

composition and mineralogy of Mars and also monitor atmospheric CO2 and turbidity. Temperature and
emissivity are the two basic physical parameters estimated from thermal emission measurement. Many
minerals and soil types have characteristic spectra in TIR region. TIS can map surface composition and
mineralogy of Mars (Fig.6.5).

Fig. 6.5 TIS assembly

43

7. TRAJECTORY, TRACKING AND COMMAND

7.1 THREE PHASES OF MANGALYAAN
Mangalayaan, Indias first planetary missions, journey was a 300 day, 78 crore kms to orbit Mars.
The Launch Vehicle - PSLV-C25 will inject the Spacecraft into an Elliptical Parking Orbit with a perigee of
250 km and an apogee of 23,500 km, with six Liquid Engine firing the spacecraft .It is gradually
maneuvered into a hyperbolic trajectory with which it escapes from the Earths Sphere of Influence (SOI)
and arrives at the Mars Sphere of Influence. When spacecraft reaches nearest point of Mars (Peri-apsis), it is
maneuvered in to an elliptical orbit around Mars by firing the Liquid Engine. The spacecraft then moves
around the Mars in an orbit with Peri-apsis of 366 km and Apo-apsis of about 80000 km this is shown in fig
7.1 This interplanetary mission passed through three phases namely Geo centric, Helio centric and Martian.
This is shown in Fig.7.1

Fig.7.1 TRAJECTORY DESIGN

44

7.1.1 GEO-CENTRIC PHASE

The spacecraft is injected into an Elliptic Parking Orbit by the launcher. With six main engine burns, the
spacecraft is gradually maneuvered into a departure hyperbolic trajectory with which it escapes from the
Earths Sphere of Influence (SOI) with Earths orbital velocity + V boost. The SOI of earth ends at 918347
km from the surface of the earth beyond which the perturbing force on the orbiter is mainly due to the Sun.
ISRO uses a method of travel called a Hohmann Transfer Orbit or a Minimum Energy Transfer Orbit to
send a spacecraft from Earth to Mars with the least amount of fuel possible.
First Liquid Motor Orbit Raising Burn
The first orbit raising maneuver of India's Mars Orbiter Spacecraft was successfully performed when the
LAM (LIQUID APOGEE MOTOR) was fired for 416 seconds raising the spacecraft's apogee to 28825 km.
The perigee is 252 km.
SECOND LIQUID MOTOR ORBIT RAISING BURN
The second orbit raising Maneuver was successfully performed with a 570.6 s burn of the liquid motor,
which raised the apogee from 28814 km to 40186 km.
THIRD LIQUID MOTOR ORBIT RAISING BURN
The third orbit raising maneuver was successfully performed using a liquid motor burn for 707s IST, which
raised the apogee to from 40,186 km to 71,636 km.
FOURTH LIQUID MOTOR ORBIT RAISING BURN
The fourth orbit raising operation failed to raise the MOM's orbit to the planned 100,000 km. The
incremental velocity imparted by the liquid motor was 35 m/s against the targeted 130 m/s. As a result, the
apogee increased from 71,636-km to just 78,276-km. So ISRO plans a supplementary orbit raising operation
to raise the apogee to around 100,000-km
FIFTH LIQUID MOTOR ORBIT RAISING BURN
The fifth orbit raising liquid engine burn successfully for 243.5 s raised the apogee from 118642 km to
192874 km.
The orbit raising maneuvers are shown in Fig. 7.2

MOM after fifth Liquid Engine burn.

Fig.7.2

45

7.1.2 Helio-Centric Phase

The spacecraft leaves Earth in a direction tangential to Earths orbit and encounters Mars tangentially to its
orbit. The flight path is roughly one half of an ellipse around sun. Eventually it will intersect the orbit of
Mars at the exact moment when Mars is there too. This trajectory becomes possible with certain allowances
when the relative position of Earth, Mars and Sun form an angle of approximately 44o. Such an arrangement
recur periodically at intervals of about 780 days. Minimum energy opportunities for Earth-Mars occur in
November 2013, January 2016, May2018 etc.
7.1.3 Martian Phase
The spacecraft arrives at the Mars Sphere of Influence (around 573473 km from the surface of Mars) in a
hyperbolic trajectory. At the time the spacecraft reaches the closest approach to Mars (Periapsis), it is
captured into planned orbit around mars by imparting V retro which is called the Mars Orbit Insertion
(MOI) maneuver. The Earth-Mars trajectory is shown in the Fig.7.3

Fig.7.3 MARTIAN ORBIT

7.2 TRACKING AND COMMAND

The Indian Space Research Organization Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network performed
navigation and tracking operations for the launch with ground stations at Sriharikota, PortBlair, Brunei
and Biak in Indonesia, and after the spacecraft's apogee becomes more than 100,000 km, two large 18-metre
and 32-metre diameter antennas of the Indian Deep Space Network will be utilised.NASA's Deep Space
Network will provide position data through its three stations located in Canberra, Madrid and Goldstone on
the U.S. West Coast during the non-visible period of ISRO's network. This is shown in Fig.7.4

46

Fig.7.4 TRACKING AND COMMAND

CONCLUSION:
People want their scientists to achieve stupendous successes with their missions in space.
Also, scientific achieves a significant success they do get major public support for future missions.
The questions like Why Mars? and Why Mars Now? are found being raised in recent times. Perhaps
such type of questions has no straight forward answers. For a nation-state, there could be multiple reasons
for undertaking such challenging and expensive projects. Countries could plan and invest in such missions
for political, strategic, scientific, social and/ or economic reasons.
The intellect and consciousness of human mind are always urging it to inquire more about the
universe than what is known. In fact, the human fascination with the universe has been there for long and
would always remain. For many years, scientists are working on various aspects of the Big Bang theory a
prevailing cosmological model that describes the early explosive origin of the Universe. Humans have
always kept their interest alive with regard to finding out about the presence of life on other planets or other
solar systems and about the birth of stars and planets. The field of the study of celestial objects commonly
known as Astronomy has attracted the attention of many inquisitive and brilliant minds. It could be traced
back from the Galileo. Since then, significant developments have taken place in the field of space sciences
which essentially involves studying various known and unknown aspects of the outer space. Mainly the
issues related to astronomy, planetary sciences and cosmology do get discussed under space sciences.
It is difficult to actually identify the exact reasons for the state to undertake mission to Mars. Space-faring
nations do plan to have their own dream missions in space and Mars is just a step in that journey. Planet
Mars has some peculiar attractions for which the states are dreaming to reach there. In general, the quest for
the red planet emerges out of its own logic.
Mars has an atmosphere which could provide protection from cosmic and the Suns radiation. No other
planet offers such manageable similarities with the Earth for a human stay. Also, Mars has its two Moons
namely Phobos and Deimos and understanding more about them could also help to know more about a
planet and a Moon system, in general. This could help to draw some inferences with regard to EarthMoon
system.
Human beings are trying to find an answer to a basic query that why Earth is such a beautiful place to live
and would it always remain like that? Why the Earth is just right distance from the Sunnot too far for the
oceans to freeze or not too close for the oceans to boil? Planetary scientists call it Goldilocks Paradox. It
is argued that Earth and its two neighbouring planets Mars and Venus were formed around the same time
about 46 billion years ago, from the same ingredients including water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. But,
only Earth developed life. Mars is too cold and Venus is too hot, but Earth is just right.
47

However, humans are yet to find the answer for such paradox. We are yet to find a theoretical backing for
why do the laws of physics seem fine-tuned for life? The Mars exploration could help us to understand about
the evolution of Earth. Probably, the study of other planet which has a matching DNA with Earth could help
us to understand more about the origins of volcanoes, earthquakes and weather. All such studies over a
period of time could directly or indirectly benefit humans to address issues related to global
warming/climate change and also forecasting of probable natural disasters.
It is important to note that climate change happens not only because of the factors originating on the Earth
itself like human-specific impacts on the surroundings, but it could also occur because of the external factors
like solar radiation received by the planet, etc. Also, scientists are trying to understand how the variations in
the Earths climate by the changes in the characteristics of the Earths orbit and axial tilt could take place.
Study of current weather changes on Mars with changes in its atmospheric composition both due to on
planet and outside planet factors could help to develop atmospheric models to understand changes in Earth
weather.
Study of the Moons of Mars could help to know more about the asteroids in particular and the formation of
the solar system in general and about the structural strength of asteroids. Maybe a Mars mission could allow
us to reach to a singular conclusion for various queries. All this would help in better understanding of Earth.
There are many unanswered questions like why Earth is the only water-rich planet, was there water available
on other planets too and if so, why did it disappear? Some answers to such question could help us to know
the future of water on the Earth. Also, mission to Mars could assist in knowing more in various arenas form
the planetary geophysics. It is known that Sun has a direct correlation with the weather on the Earth.
However, because of the particular rotation of Earth and Sun at times, it is not possible to study all the
properties of Sun form Earth. Such study could become possible from Mars.
The question is why Mars now? A simple argument could be since more than 50 years have passed as
humans have succeeded in reaching space if not now then when? Humans could be said to have started
trying to understand the secrets of Mars since 1600s with the invention of telescope. In the space era,
attempts have been made since early 1960s to study Mars by sending probes in the vicinity of Mars. This
was happening as a part of the unmanned spacecraft interplanetary exploration programme undertaken by
the erstwhile USSR and the US.
In early years, Mars was found unfriendly to Earths attempts to visit it. More missions have been attempted
to Mars than to any other place in our Solar System (except the Moon), and almost 50 % attempts have
failed. Various initial failures could have happened probably because Mars was the first planet Earth
attempted to explore. These failures have also taught us many lessons and assisted in making few subsequent
missions more successful. But, still space powers are yet to master the art of reaching Mars and some
disappointments have occurred relatively recently. Luckily, some successful missions since 1996 have
provided important data about Mars helping us to better understanding. This is helping a better planning for
future missions.
One of the questions with regard to quest for Mars is that are humans aiming for the mineral deposits on
the Mars? However, it is still premature to answer this question. No definitive information in regard to the
Mars mineralogy is available. However, some studies are available providing the regional surface material
distributions on Mars. There are indications that the soil on the Mars surface could have volcanic origin.
Also, clay minerals that usually form when water is present for long periods of time covering a larger
portion of Mars than previously thought. Mars has a different crust than Earth, and very different atmosphere
and so the minerals over there are expected to be different than that of Earth.
48

Even though in comparative sense probably Mars could be the most habitable planet in our solar system
after the Earth, still the issues related gravity, low temperatures and absence of atmosphere offers various
challenges for a long human stay. Whether life has existed on Mars or not is still an open question. There is
a need to undertake detailed biological experimentation including study of fossils in this regard. Humans are
keen to get the answers with respect to presence of life outside Earth and are ready to make all efforts
towards finding an answer to this. The nature of technological developments witnessed in space area
bestows the confidence that albeit the human mission to Mars may be a difficult proposal but definitely not
an impossible idea. Particularly, in the twenty-first century with few states already having acquired some
amount of a success in knowing more about Mars, it is worth pushing the envelope further up. Overall
conquering the Red Planet appears to be worth the risk.
Based on the overall debate in regard to various aspects of Mars agenda, the reasons for various states opting
for the Mars mission could be identified as

(1) Fascination for the Red Planet, to know what it there, if life ever existed

(2) Technological challenge

(3) To boost studies in space technologies and planetary sciences

(4) Nationalism, great power status and display of strategic superiority

(5) Economic advantages/boost to space industry.

49

REFERENCE
Rocket propulsion by ramamurthi
Space environment and its effect on space system,aiaaa education series
Foot R, Walter A. China, the United States and Global Order, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge;
2011
Anderson I. Model atmospheres show signs of life, New Scientist, Jan 7, 1988, p. 41.
Launius RD. Frontiers of Space Exploration. London: Greenwood Press; 1998. p. 56.
Sadeh E, editor. Politics of space. London: Routledge; 2011. p. 3.
Sarathi VP. Ancient Indian mathematics and Astronomy.
http://www.indicstudies.us/Astronomy/aimword.pdf.
Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA). http://www.iucaa.ernet.in/Mission.html.
http://www.astron-soc.in/index.html.
http://www.prl.res.in/..
http://www.iist.ac.in/
http://mars.nasa.gov/programmissions/missions/missiontypes/orbiters/http://www.isro.org/mars.aspx
http://www.astrodigital.org/mars/whymars.html

50

51