NEW DELHI: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) director Nilesh Desai said that the government has approved the Venus Orbiting satellite project, Shukrayaan.
“The Indian government has recently given a nod to our Venus Orbiting Satellite — Shukrayaan. It will be launched in 2028. The idea of Chandrayaan 4 has been proposed as a follow up of Chandrayaan 3, where we will land not only on the moon but also will return with soil and rock samples,” Desai said.
Regarding Chandrayaan 4, Desai revealed plans for a collaborative mission between India and Japan.
“Chandrayaan 4 will consist of two missions. India and Japan will be doing a joint mission where will go the tip of the moon’s south pole at 90 degrees south as compared to our last attempt of 69.3 degrees south. It will be a precise landing. We have not yet received the government’s approval for the mission. The rover as a part of the mission will weigh 350 kg, which is 12 times heavier than the previous rover. If we get the government’s nod, we will be able to execute the mission by 2030,” he explained.
He further mentioned ongoing discussions about sensors and satellites for the INSAT 4 series. Desai said “We are having discussions on the new sensors and satellites which will be launched as a part of the INSAT 4 series. The world is one generation ahead of us, and we will be able to catch up with these new sensors. We will be able to provide even better forecasts as well with the new meteorological and oceanographic sensors.”
Desai also outlined plans for Mars exploration and space station development. “As a part of the Mars mission, we will not only put a satellite on the Mars orbit but we will also attempt to land on it’s surface. Gaganyaan will be launched in the next two years. It will be an unmanned flight after which we will launch a manned flight. The government has also given an approval to construct India’s own space station. It will not be as big as the ISS but will have five modules. We will launch the first module in 2028 and India’s space station will be ready by 2035. As a part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to land on the moon by 2040, our space station will function as a transit facility en route,” he concluded.
What is Venus Orbiter Mission?
‘Shukrayaan – 1’ combines Sanskrit words ‘Shukra’ (Venus) and ‘Yaana’ (craft). Isro initiated the concept of ‘Shukrayaan -1’ in 2012 by requesting payload proposals from research institutions.
The mission aims to undertake a detailed investigation of Venus, which scientists consider similar to Earth. The investigation encompasses the planet’s surface, atmosphere and geological structure. The programme involves positioning a spacecraft in Venus’s orbit to gather essential information about the planet’s weather patterns, atmospheric elements and potential geological activities. The spacecraft will utilise advanced scientific equipment for these observations.
The planned orbital vehicle is expected to be equipped with various instruments, including synthetic aperture radar, infrared and ultraviolet imaging devices, and specialised equipment for studying Venus’s ionosphere.
The venture will enhance understanding of Venus’s dense cloud cover, which consists mainly of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid. Additionally, it will investigate evidence of active volcanic formations.
Whilst Nasa currently considers life on Venus unlikely, researchers maintain the possibility of microscopic organisms existing in Venus’s upper atmospheric layers, where pressure levels approximate Earth’s surface conditions. Although Shukrayaan-1 continues development, Isro has yet to announce specific launch timing and crucial mission specifications.