Has India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) Detected Methane on Mars?

In a quest to explore and understand the Red Planet, India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), was designed with a specific goal: to detect the presence of methane on Mars. Methane is of great interest to researchers as its existence could point to past or present microbial life on the planet. This article delves into the mission's objectives, the instruments it carries, and the intriguing results obtained so far.

Objectives of the Mars Orbiter Mission

The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on November 5, 2013, with the primary aim of studying the Martian space environment. Among other scientific payloads, the mission includes instruments dedicated to atmospheric and particle environment studies, as well as surface imaging. A key objective was to search for methane in the Martian atmosphere, indicating the potential for subsurface life or geothermal activity.

The Scientific Payload

The MOM mission carries a 15 kg (33 lb) scientific payload consisting of five instruments, designed to conduct various studies on Mars.

Atmospheric Studies

Lyman-Alpha Photometer (LAP): This instrument measures the relative abundance of deuterium and hydrogen from Lyman-alpha emissions in the upper atmosphere. By analyzing the deuterium/hydrogen ratio, scientists can estimate the amount of water loss to outer space, providing crucial insights into the planet's climatic and geologic history. Water is a key component in the search for life, and understanding its behavior over time can help researchers determine Mars' potential for supporting life in the past or present.

Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM): One of the primary instruments aboard the MOM is the Methane Sensor for Mars. This sensor is designed to measure any methane present in the Martian atmosphere and map its sources. Methane is of significant interest as it could indicate the presence of life or subsurface geological activity. Most Earth-based and NASA missions, such as the Viking and Mars Science Laboratory, have conducted methane detection missions to Mars, but the MOM's findings could provide valuable data to support these efforts.

Particle Environment Studies

Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA): This instrument is a quadrupole mass analyser that can analyze the neutral composition of particles in the exosphere, the outermost layer of the Martian atmosphere. Understanding the composition of the exosphere can help researchers understand the planet's atmospheric dynamics and the conditions that may affect the surface and the possibility of life.

Surface Imaging Studies

Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS): This instrument will measure the temperature and emissivity of the Martian surface, enabling the creation of thermal and spectral maps of the surface composition and mineralogy. This can provide valuable information about the planet's geology and the potential habitats for life, such as areas with hydrated minerals or liquid water.

Mars Colour Camera (MCC): The MCC will provide high-resolution images in the visual spectrum, offering context for the data collected by the other instruments. These images can highlight surface features and composition, which can be crucial for understanding the planet's geological and environmental characteristics.

Results of the MOM Mission

Since its arrival at Mars in September 2014, the MOM mission has been sending back valuable data, though there have been some misconceptions and unreported facts. One of the most significant findings of the MOM mission was the detection of methane levels, which have been a subject of intense scrutiny and debate within the scientific community.

Main Findings: ISRO has not publicly declared any presence of methane in the Martian atmosphere. However, the MSM instrument has provided intermittent data that has sparked discussions among researchers. The instrument has occasionally detected traces of methane, which, if confirmed, could indicate a potential source of this gas, such as microbial activity or geological processes. However, further analysis and confirmation are required before any definitive conclusions can be made.

ongoing research and analysis: Ongoing studies and analysis continue, and the ISRO team is committed to providing updated reports on the mission's findings. Future missions and collaborations with other space agencies, such as NASA, will likely provide more definitive answers to the existence of methane on Mars.

If the presence of methane is confirmed, it would be a major breakthrough in our understanding of Mars and its potential to support life. However, the absence of methane, as reported by ISRO, does not rule out the possibility of microbial life or other forms of life on the planet. The search for life continues, and the MOM mission has undoubtedly contributed valuable data to this quest.

Conclusion

The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) has been a significant milestone in India's space exploration efforts and has provided valuable data on Mars' atmospheric and surface characteristics. While the detection of methane has not been confirmed, the continuous exploration and analysis of Mars will continue to expand our knowledge of the planet and its potential to support life.