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A faster, cheaper, Mars orbiter

  • Writer: radhika-sinha
    radhika-sinha
  • Apr 9, 2023
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jan 11

The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) launched by India in 2013 was a historic feat in the realm of interplanetary space exploration. The mission aimed to explore and observe the surface features, morphology, mineralogy, and atmosphere of Mars, while specifically searching for methane to determine the possibility or past existence of life on the planet. The technological challenges posed by interplanetary missions are immense, but the development and mastery of the technologies essential for these missions will open endless possibilities for space exploration.

After leaving Earth, the Orbiter had to endure interplanetary space for 300 days before Mars capture. The mission required deep space communication and navigation-guidance-control capabilities, as well as spacecraft autonomy to handle contingencies. India accomplished a monumental feat by successfully placing a spacecraft in orbit around Mars on its first attempt. The mission was not only a historic success but also cost-effective, demonstrating India's capability to undertake such missions at a reasonable cost.

While the article was engaging, some points may appear questionable. For instance, there was no need to connect a space project to the 600 million people of the nation who lack access to proper sanitation or even electricity. Similarly, while the economic condition of the Soviet Union was not sound, it was always at the forefront of space expeditions. Therefore, calling the Indian space mission a "delusional dream" seems baseless, as the success of the project made the entire nation proud.Furthermore, the assertion that India is trying to become the next superpower by undertaking such irrational and inexpensive space projects seems unfounded. The article itself lists several factors that hinder India's progress, and the media and the people of the nation should focus on upcoming projects rather than minuscule issues.


The Mars Orbiter Mission has paved the way for cheaper and faster interplanetary probes while also making India the first country to achieve success on its maiden attempt at a Mars mission. The framework of systemic design that applies to the Mangalyaan mission includes the fact that changes are a part of uncertain budding innovation. For a country like India, succeeding on the first attempt was a significant milestone, surpassing the achievements of the United States and the Soviet Union. The Mars Orbiter Mission has placed India among the top countries in the space race.


Furthermore, the world is constantly changing, and the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission demonstrates that the more technology was denied to India, the more determined it became to master these technologies. This opportunity gave India a pathway to develop new horizons, despite being considered a third-world country that was backward in everything. Simple yet effective designs capable of redesigning organizations were also employed in the success of the mission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that India's Mars Orbiter was a "great achievement" since it cost less than the Hollywood blockbuster movie "Gravity," which had a budget of $100 million. The cost-effective approach, small team designs, and brainstorming played a significant role in achieving the mission's success. The team was capable of completely redesigning the spacecraft on its own with all the available resources and sending it to Mars on the first attempt.


In conclusion, the Mars Orbiter Mission is an excellent example of India's capability to undertake space missions, demonstrating its technological advancements and cost-effective approach. The mission has paved the way for cheaper and faster interplanetary probes and cemented India's place among the top countries in the space race. The success of the mission reflects India's determination to master new technologies despite being a third-world country and underscores the importance of simple yet effective designs capable of redesigning organizations.




 
 
 

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© 2025 by Radhika Sinha

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