“The pursuit of science requires a kind of dogged determination and passion to find the answer to the question you pose.”

– David Dinges, Professor at the University of Pennsylvania

The real-life storyline of season 2 episode 3 of Mars, “Darkness Falls,” largely deals with the concept of perseverance in science. In the words of Susan Wise Bauer, the author of “The Story of Western Science,” scientists often have to simultaneously deal with “skepticism from the general public and opposition from people in power.” This episode in particular, highlights glaciologist Jason Gulley’s expedition to determine how fast the Greenland ice sheets have been melting. Given the current administration’s denial of climate change and many people’s doubt that its causes are anthropogenic, Gulley’s work is certainly not widely supported. On top of this, Gulley details how the harsh weather conditions make it difficult to take measurements on some days, but he keeps going because “science outlives all of us.”

As I was thinking about what to research this week, I realized that a movie I recently watched (and adored) fits perfectly into the theme of determination yielding the greatest scientific discoveries. The movie, Mission Mangal, is based on the true story of the 2013 launch of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), otherwise called Mangalyaan, by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The team in charge of the mission (comprised of several women!) encountered a number of obstacles, yet persevered and were able to successfully execute India’s first interplanetary mission. I grew fascinated in learning about the real mission, so I wanted to share their story with you.

In just 15 months from the day the mission was announced, the team at ISRO conceptualized, planned, and launched a satellite the size of an auto rickshaw out of Earth’s orbit to the Martian orbit. The satellite, fitted with payloads ranging from a methane sensor to a tricolor Mars Color Camera, made the 660 million kilometer journey in 300 days. The satellite cost $70 million, which is a fraction of the $671 million spent on a previous NASA mission of similar scale. Unbelievably, it cost less than the creation of several Hollywood blockbusters, including Gravity, which had a budget of $100 million (Thani).

I also wanted to highlight just a few of the incredible women that were part of this mission. Ritu Karidhal, known as the “Rocket Woman of India,” was the aerospace engineer responsible for the conception of the spacecraft’s onward autonomy system, enabling the satellite to function independently in space (Pareek). Nandini Harinath was the deputy operations director, proud to have been part of such a monumental mission after working at ISRO for more than 20 years (Pareek). Electrical engineer Anuradha TK, now having been a part of ISRO for over three decades, contributed her knowledge about geo-synchronous satellites (Pareek). These women and many others on a team of 500 scientists and engineers worked countless 20-hour days to propel ISRO to the forefront of space exploration, effectively creating history (Thani).

If you’re even slightly interested in space exploration and humanity’s perseverance in reaching the final frontier, I’d highly recommend watching Mission Mangal. Here’s the trailer!

Overall, this movie reaffirmed my desire to be an aerospace engineer. Since I was a kid, I’ve dreamed of being in that mission control room, watching the rocket I helped build reach the stars. Space exploration has always been a passion of mine, and reaching Mars has quickly become the newest dream. Even if you aren’t interested in space, I hope that you’ve found your own passion and are on your way to making it a reality.

To end with one of my favorite quotes:

“What does it take to make sure your little girl grows up to be a rocket scientist? Start her young.”

– Divia Thani

Sources:

“Darkness Falls.” Mars, season 2, episode 3, National Geographic Channel, 26 Nov. 2018. Netflix, https://www.netflix.com/watch/81048723

https://www.cntraveller.in/story/mission-mangal-true-story-real-isro-women-who-powered-india-mission-to-mars

https://www.gqindia.com/entertainment/content/real-story-of-mission-mangal-movie-women-from-isro-project-mangalyaan-true-events-that-inspired-the-akshay-kumar-bollywood-film

Images from above sources and:

https://www.indiatvnews.com/science/news-isro-makes-history-as-its-mars-orbiter-mission-completes-four-years-465256

https://www.scoopwhoop.com/women/meet-the-women-scientists-behind-mangalyaan-india-s-maiden-mission-to-mars/