NIT Rourkela research on Mars weather gets international recognition

In a breakthrough study that could transform how humans plan future missions to Mars, researchers from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed new insights into the Martian weather system by analysing over two decades of satellite data.

In collaboration with UAE University and Sun Yat-sen University in China, the team has studied the impact of dust devils, large dust storms, and water-ice clouds on the red planet’s climate. Their findings, recently published in the reputed journal New Astronomy Reviews (impact factor 26.8), could significantly enhance the accuracy of Martian weather prediction models—key for both robotic and human missions.

Led by Prof. Jagabandhu Panda of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at NIT Rourkela, the research team includes Anirban Mandal, a research scholar at the institute. Their international collaborators are Dr. Bijay Kumar Guha and Dr. Claus Gebhardt from the National Space Science and Technology Center, UAE University, and Dr. Zhaopeng Wu from Sun Yat-sen University (currently with the Chinese Academy of Sciences).

The study focused on three major components of Martian weather:

• Dust Devils – Spinning air columns are more frequent in the northern hemisphere, which suspend fine dust in the atmosphere.
• Large Dust Storms – Planet-wide storms triggered by heat-dust feedback loops that reshape wind patterns and influence temperatures.
• Water-Ice Clouds – Seasonal clouds are seen near Mars’ equator, volcanoes like Olympus Mons, and the poles. Two types—aphelion cloud belts and polar hood clouds—form in different seasons depending on ice and dust content in the air.

“Advancing the weather prediction on Mars is not just a scientific pursuit; it is the cornerstone of ensuring that future missions can sustain there and realize the past and future habitability of the red planet,” said Prof. Panda. He also expressed hope that ISRO would expand Mars missions and support university-based space research.

The study used imaging and meteorological data from multiple Mars missions, including India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MoM). By mapping seasonal changes in dust and cloud formations, the researchers aim to better predict Martian weather, crucial for landing safety, astronaut health, and long-term exploration planning.