Published August 19, 2015FoxNews.com
India's Mars orbiter captures beautiful 3D images of the red planet
The Indian Space Research Organisation has released a series of beautiful images taken by the country's Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter. The images reveal striking details of the Ophir Chasma, a canyon that spans about 186 miles of the planet's surface.
The orbiter marks India's first interplanetary space venture.
The Mars probe's goal is to explore the "red planet's" surface features, mineralogy, atmosphere, and morphology. The Indian space mission also aims to seek out the presence of methane in the planet's atmosphere, which would give clues as to the possible presence of past life on Mars.
The images of the canyon were taken on July 19 by the orbiter's Mars Colour Camera.
India's successful, low-cost Mars mission has been lauded as a major milestone for the country's space program, with experts predicting that it could open the door to lucrative space deals with the U.S. and Europe.
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2015/08/19/india-mars-space-probe-captures-beautiful-3d-images-planet-ophir-chasma/?intcmp=hpffo&intcmp=obnetwork
India Space Research Organization
MARS ORBITER MISSION
Marking India's first venture into the interplanetary space, MOM will explore and observe Mars surface features, morphology, mineralogy and the Martian atmosphere. Further, a specific search for methane in the Martian atmosphere will provide information about the possibility or the past existence of life on the planet.
The enormous distances involved in interplanetary missions present a demanding challenge; developing and mastering the technologies essential for these missions will open endless possibilities for space exploration. After leaving Earth, the Orbiter will have to endure the Interplanetary space for 300 days before Mars capture. Apart from deep space communications and navigation-guidance-control capabilities, the mission will require autonomy at the spacecraft end to handle contingencies.
Once India decided to go to Mars, ISRO had no time to lose as the nearest launch window was only a few months away and it could not afford to lose the chance, given the next launch would present itself after over 780 days, in 2016. Thus, mission planning, manufacturing the spacecraft and the launch vehicle and readying the support systems took place swiftly.
More photos: http://www.isro.gov.in/pslv-c25-mars-orbiter-mission
(click photo for larger)
(http://s11.postimg.org/gfv5xvp0j/Screen_Shot_2015_08_19_at_9_10_40_PM.jpg)
(http://s14.postimg.org/6k1fqdwdt/Screen_Shot_2015_08_19_at_9_17_26_PM.jpg)
Those sure are some great Mars photos, but I'm not expecting better photos than those that we already have from this wide angle, low resolution camera.
A great achievement for India nonetheless. :)
Yes, it is the achievement that is so notable. And we can only hope that they do in fact "OPENLY" share what they see! :)
Here are two more pics that that allow us to see even more of the 3-D detail of the Martian surface. I do wonder if water "crafted" the 3-D variations that we see in these photos?? :)
Photos: http://www.isro.gov.in/pslv-c25-mars-orbiter-mission
(click for larger)
(http://s23.postimg.org/iyrw1dn2z/Screen_Shot_2015_08_20_at_10_12_46_AM.jpg)
(http://s21.postimg.org/dn4w83yvr/Screen_Shot_2015_08_20_at_10_19_40_AM.jpg)
Quote from: rdunk on August 20, 2015, 04:23:20 PM
Here are two more pics that that allow us to see even more of the 3-D detail of the Martian surface. I do wonder if water "crafted" the 3-D variations that we see in these photos?? :)
Maybe, the central part appears too "rounded" to be the result of just wind or gravity erosion.
Some interesting features! I wonder if the loss of surface water was slow or fast. If it were slow I would expect if there had been intelligent life forms they would have constructed dams to save the last water and live close tho them before retreating underground possibly.
(http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q621/dyna145/dam_zpshjpepr03.jpg)