Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The Indian government has given approval for ISRO’s Shukrayaan mission, aiming to study Venus’s atmosphere and geological activity. The mission will investigate the planet’s thick carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds and search for evidence of active volcanoes.
While Venus’s surface is considered inhospitable to life, scientists are keen to analyze its upper atmospheric layers, where pressure levels resemble those on Earth. This data will help researchers understand Venus’s climatic and geological conditions.
Shukrayaan will deploy synthetic aperture radar and ultraviolet imaging devices to observe Venus’s surface and atmosphere. These instruments aim to provide insights into the planet’s geological and weather patterns.
With this mission, India becomes part of an international endeavor to understand Venus, often termed Earth’s “twin” due to similarities in size and composition. ISRO first proposed Shukrayaan in 2012 by inviting payload suggestions from research institutions.
ISRO has proposed Chandrayaan 4 as a joint venture with Japan, targeting a precise landing on the Moon’s south pole at 90 degrees latitude. The mission, featuring a 350-kilogram rover, aims to collect and return lunar samples to Earth by 2030.
ISRO’s Mars program will progress beyond orbiters, with plans to land on the Martian surface. Building on the success of Mangalyaan, the mission reflects India’s continued commitment to interplanetary exploration.
ISRO’s Gaganyaan program will achieve significant milestones in human spaceflight, starting with an unmanned mission in the next two years, followed by a manned flight. Additionally, India’s first space station, comprising five modules, is set to launch its first component in 2028, with completion targeted by 2035.
ISRO is upgrading its weather and oceanographic technology through the INSAT 4 series. New satellites with advanced sensors aim to bridge the technological gap in meteorological forecasting, ensuring better predictions and monitoring.