SAC Ahmedabad contributed 3 paylods to part Mars orbiter mission

Ahmedabad, 5 November 2013

ISRO’s Space Application Center(SAC) Ahmedbad has contributed 15 Kg core parts to India’s Mars orbiter mission by making three paylods – RGB camera, sensors and thermal imaging spectrometer.

The SAC has developed highly miniature sensors for Mars mission. Methane sensor uses Etalon based filter (SWIR band) with compact optics, detector and electronics. This sensor helps in mapping and study of methane on MARS. Thermal imaging spectrometer (TIS) is developed around a low power bolometer with compact optics, mechanical structure and electronics. This shall provide thermal imaging (7-14µ) of Mars surface. An RGB camera has been developed to image MARS and its moons to provide information of land features and dust storms of MARS.

Mars: Science and Applications

Data from various Remote sensing missions has revolutionised our understanding of the planet Mars geological evolution, allowing a comprehensive and multidisciplinary view of Mars, including the surface geology and mineralogy, the subsurface structure, the state of the interior, the climate’s evolution, the atmospheric dynamics, composition and escape, the aeronomy and the ionospheric structure. However, many scientific questions about Mars are still un-answered. India’s new science vision emphasizes planetary explorations for better understanding the universe, paving way to new domains of material resources, energy, environmental systems and habitat.

The ‘Mars mission study team’ had been formed to study the various aspects of India’s first Mars mission. Based on the study team’s deliberations and the feasible mission options the proposal for electro-optical payloads was worked out. Three electro-optical payloads covering the spectral range of visible to thermal IR were proposed by Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad. The payloads are, i) Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM), ii) Thermal Infra-red Imaging Spectrometer (TIS) and iii) Mars Color Camera (MCC).

In order to better understand planet Mars remote sensing observation on Martian surface in hyperspectral mode in visible-NIR and thermal IR part of electromagnetic spectrum are important. The high resolution remote sensing data sets are useful to better understand photo-geological mapping and morpho-tectonics of Mars. Investigations are proposed for using thermal IR remote sensing to better understand distribution of silicate minerals and other altered mineral products on Mars. Investigations using VNIR hyperspectral data will provide information on Hydrothermal alteration and can also produce mineral signatures that indicate a past water-rich environment. Metamorphic compositions can be used to study the deformational mechanisms that have occurred in the Martian past.

The purpose of these proposed studies is to start systematic scientific work to better understand Martian geology and surface composition. The proposed studies will help in understanding the climatic history of Mars and server for systematic utilization of data from future Indian Mars Mission. The Mars Science Plan consists of three main research activities namely, i) Surface Composition of Mars using Thermal Imagine Spectrometry, ii) Hyperspectral investigation of Martian surface using VNIR data and iii) Morpho-tectonic study of the surface of Mars along with its satellites Phobos & Demos.