Full Form of MOM
MOM stands for Mars Orbiter Mission, which is also known as Mangalyaan. It is India's first interplanetary mission and was launched on November 5, 2013. The mission was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the aim of exploring Mars, studying its atmosphere, and examining its surface features.
Mission Objectives
- To develop the technologies required for designing, planning, managing and operating an interplanetary mission
- To explore Mars surface features, morphology, mineralogy, and Martian atmosphere using indigenous scientific instruments
- To study the Martian atmosphere, its dynamics, and evolution
- To search for methane in the Martian atmosphere, which could be an indicator of life on Mars
MOM Mission Details
The Mars Orbiter Mission was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India. The mission was launched on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C25) and it took about 300 days to reach Mars. The spacecraft entered the Mars orbit on September 24, 2014, making India the first nation to reach Mars on its first attempt.
The spacecraft is equipped with five scientific instruments, including a Mars Colour Camera, a Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer, a Methane Sensor for Mars, a Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser, and a Lyman Alpha Photometer. These instruments are used to study the Martian atmosphere, surface features, and mineralogy.
MOM Mission Achievements
- The mission was completed within a budget of $74 million, making it the least expensive Mars mission to date
- The spacecraft successfully entered the Mars orbit on its first attempt
- The Mars Colour Camera captured over 715 images of Mars, which were used to create a 3D atlas of the planet
- The spacecraft detected traces of methane in the Martian atmosphere, which could be an indicator of life on Mars
The Mars Orbiter Mission is considered a significant achievement for India's space program and has put the country on the global map in terms of space exploration. The mission has also inspired a new generation of scientists and engineers in India to pursue careers in space exploration.