The Mars Orbiter Mission or (MOM) was launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Kumar says 'we have demonstrated the overall capability that we can go up to Mars with a minimal launcher using the PSLV'. Therefore, a repeat mission to Mars is very likely but with a heavier satellite where scientific instruments would get priority. Kumar says 'the next mission will be science driven.' A recent document submitted by ISRO to the government enlists what is going through the minds of the scientists and engineer at ISRO: 'Initiatives towards undertaking a Mars orbiter and lander mission during 2018-launch opportunity identification of scientific payloads.
Exploration of Mars surface features viz. morphology, topography, mineralogy and Martian atmosphere' all can be studied in Mangalyaan-2. Kumar says no final decision has been taken on the next Mars mission and no date has been fixed. Kumar is sure that Mangalyaan-2 will be a science mission unlike the first Mangalyaan, which was a 'technology demonstrator'. India already has a second visit to the Moon planned for 2018 through Chandrayaan-2 that will include an orbiter, lander and a rover on the lunar surface. This Rs 500 crore mission is already being put together in Bengaluru and it will be launched using the GSLV Mk-II.
According to ISRO it would 'further our understanding of origin and evolution of the Moon with improved versions of Chandrayaan-1 instruments for imaging, mineralogy and chemistry; addition of alpha and neutron spectrometers in the orbiter. Studies of lunar radiation environment including solar wind interactions.' Beyond Chandrayaan-2 ISRO seeks to plan for 'lunar sample return missions from the polar region of moon and a possible establishment of lunar observatory'. ISRO in its plans also lists 'a remote sensing asteroid orbiter & comet flyby: with the science goal of understanding the evolution of asteroids and comets, early solar system processes, meteorite-asteroid connection, physical and chemical properties of asteroid and cometary material.'
India is also seeking to undertake a visit to an asteroid and there is every possibility that India may cooperate with the American space agency, NASA on its asteroid initiative where it will try to re-direct or even harvest an asteroid. India with its demonstrated capabilities of undertaking low cost high value inter-planetary travel - Mangalyaan at Rs 450 crores was the cheapest mission ever - offers great opportunities for NASA to work with. A possible win-win for both sides where space science would be the biggest gainer.
