Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The Union Cabinet has approved the development of the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), a significant initiative aimed at exploring Venus, Earth's closest planetary neighbor.
The mission has a budget of ₹1,236 crore (approximately $149 million) and is scheduled for launch in March 2028. A substantial portion of the budget, ₹824 crore, will be dedicated to spacecraft development.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will lead the mission, overseeing the spacecraft's development and launch, utilizing its established project management practices.
VOM's primary goal is to deepen understanding of Venus's surface, subsurface, and atmospheric processes, as well as the Sun's impact on its atmosphere. This research could shed light on the planet's evolution and its potential for habitability.
The mission aims to produce significant scientific outcomes, with data being made available to the global scientific community to encourage collaborative research and knowledge sharing.
VOM is expected to drive economic growth by involving various industries in spacecraft and launch vehicle development, creating job opportunities, and fostering technological advancements. It will also provide training for students and academic institutions in space mission design.
The approval of VOM represents a crucial step in India's space exploration efforts, expanding its focus beyond lunar and Martian missions. This initiative positions India alongside other nations exploring the inner planets of the solar system, enhancing its status in the global space community.