Cheers and applause, followed the tense moments before the probe entered Mars’ orbit.
By Diego Granizo
Two weeks ago the Indian space program completed their first mission: putting a satellite into orbit around Mars, and becoming the fourth nation in the world to have equipment on the planet.
The Indian Space Research Organization is due true congratulations. Launched on the 5th of November in 2013, the probe made its way through space. After grueling instances of no communications and a slow burn lasting 24 minutes, the Indian prime Minister, Narendra Modi said the country achieved the “near impossible”.
The Mangalyaan Robotic Probe, one of the cheapest of its kind, cost a total of $74 million, making it less expensive than your average blockbuster. It will study the red planet’s surface and sit proudly as one of the nations’ greatest achievements.
The satellite joins four other missions that are circling the planet: Maven (US), Mars Odyssey (US), Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (US) and Mars Express (Europe). However, what sets it apart is the money that got it up there. The US mission Maven cost NASA approximately $671 million making the Mangalyaan about a tenth of its cost. The payload itself only weigh 15kg and while “that reduced complexity suggests it won’t be as scientifically capable, India has been smart in targeting some really important areas that will complement what others are doing.” According to Britain’s Prof Andrew Coates, who will be a principal investigator on Europe’s Mars rover in 2018.
The Mangalyaan is equipped with instruments to measure methane in the atmosphere. Methane, being an organic molecule, is perhaps one of the keys to finding life or evidence of life on Mars. The belief is that possible methane producing organisms could exist under the surface of Mars, away from the harsh conditions of the surface.
Despite the great scientific breakthrough the country has faced a lot of criticism regarding its expenditure. Popular belief remains that space exploration is better suited for wealthy industrial countries while that money could be spent on sanitation and healthcare. This stance often overlooks that an investment in science and technology develops and inspires the people that may benefit a society. What Apollo did for the US Mangalyaan hopes to do for the youth of Indi
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