In News:

ISRO received approval for its first Venus mission, Shukrayaan. The probe will undertake a detailed investigation of Venus, including its surface, atmosphere and geological structure.

Shukrayaan Mission (Venus Orbiter Mission):

• Launch Timeline: Scheduled for 2028.
• Objective: Investigate Venus to gather data on its surface, atmosphere, and geological structure.
• Scientific Focus: Study weather patterns, geological activities, and atmospheric composition (e.g., carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds).
• Instrumentation: Equipped with synthetic aperture radar, infrared, and ultraviolet imaging devices to study Venus’s ionosphere.
• Significance: Offers global coverage of Venus, addressing gaps in previous missions' spatial coverage.
• Cost: Estimated at Rs 1,236 crore.
• Launch Vehicle: ISRO plans to use the LVM-3 (GSLV Mk III) rocket to launch the mission into an elliptical parking orbit (170 km x 36,000 km).
• Mission Data Processing: Data will be archived and disseminated through the Indian Space Science Data Center (ISSDC).

Chandrayaan 4 Mission:

• Collaborative Effort: Joint mission between India (ISRO) and Japan.
• Launch Objective: Land on the moon's south pole, with a focus on the region at 90°S (compared to previous missions at 69.3°S).
• Mission Details:
  • Includes a rover weighing 350 kg (12 times heavier than previous rover).
  • The rover will be equipped with advanced scientific tools for lunar exploration.
• Government Approval: Awaiting approval, with a target execution date of 2030.

Gaganyaan Mission (Human Spaceflight Program):

• Timeline: Unmanned flight in 2026, followed by a manned mission.
• Indian Space Station: Construction approved; to be completed by 2035, comprising five modules.
• Purpose: To serve as a transit facility for deep space exploration, including future lunar missions.

Mars Exploration Plans:

• Future Missions: Plans to send satellites to Mars and attempt a landing on the Martian surface.
• Significance: Demonstrates India’s growing ambitions in interplanetary exploration.

INSAT-4 Series of Satellites:

• Goal: Launch of new meteorological and oceanographic sensors to improve weather forecasts and disaster management.
• Technological Advancements: Need for India to catch up with global advancements in space-based sensors.

International Collaboration in Space:

• Chandrayaan 4: A collaboration between ISRO and Japan to explore the moon’s south pole, showcasing India's growing international cooperation in space exploration.

Strategic Importance of Shukrayaan:

• Contribution to Science: The mission’s global dataset will provide unique insights into Venus, enhancing the understanding of planetary atmospheres and geological processes.
• Potential for Discoveries: Research on Venus’s ionosphere and possible volcanic activity.