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Mars Orbiter Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) first interplanetary mission, MOM studies Martian topography, morphology, mineralogy, and atmosphere. MOM’s orbit also allows several opportunities to observe the Martian moon Phobos.

Launch Date Nov. 5, 2013 | 09:08 UT
Launch Site Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India
Destination Mars
Type Orbiter
Status In Progress
Nation India
Alternate Names Mangalyaan, Mars Craft, 39370, 2013-060A

Goals

India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)—or Mangalyaan (Hindi for "Mars Craft")—is the country's first mission to the Red Planet. The mission aims to test key technologies for interplanetary exploration and to use its five science instruments to study the Martian surface and atmosphere from orbit.

Accomplishments

The mission arrived safely in Mars orbit—completing the technology test. The primary science mission is underway.

Key Dates

Nov. 5, 2013 | 09:08 UT: Launch

Sept. 23, 2014 | 1:47:32 UT: Mars Orbit Insertion

Spacecraft

Launch Vehicle: PSLV

Spacecraft Mass: 1,075 pounds (488 kilograms)

Spacecraft Instruments:

  1. Mars Color Camera

  2. Lyman Alpha Photometer

  3. Thermal Imaging Spectrometer

  4. Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyzer

  5. Methane Sensor for Mars

Additional Resources

Indian Space Research Organisation: Mars Orbiter Mission

National Space Science Data Center Master Catalog: Mars Orbiter Mission

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