ISRO’s Upcoming Space Missions: A Glimpse into the Future

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has been at the forefront of space exploration, and with the success of Chandrayaan-3, the world is eagerly looking forward to ISRO’s upcoming space missions. Here’s a detailed look at what’s next on ISRO’s plate.

1. Aditya-L1: India’s First Solar Mission

ISRO’s next space-centric mission, Aditya-L1, is set to study the Sun. Scheduled for launch in early September, this mission will be India’s first solar-based mission. With seven payloads, including the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) and the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT), the mission is expected to cost around Rs 378 crore.

2. Mangalyaan 2: Exploring the Martian Crust

Following the success of Mangalyaan in 2013, ISRO plans to launch Mangalyaan 2 next year. This mission will include a hyperspectral camera, a panchromatic camera, and a radar to study the Martian crust. As an orbiter mission, it is expected to be more affordable than its predecessor.

3. Gaganyaan: India’s First Manned Mission

ISRO’s first manned mission, Gaganyaan, was initially planned for 2022 but has been rescheduled to 2024 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With an estimated cost of Rs 9023 crore, this mission symbolizes India’s entry into human space exploration.

4. NISAR Satellite: Collaboration with NASA

In collaboration with NASA, ISRO’s NISAR mission aims to map the entire globe in 12 days. This mission will provide data for studying Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, and natural hazards. Estimated to cost around Rs 12,296 crore, NISAR is set to launch in January 2024.

5. SPADEX: A Twin Spacecraft Mission

ISRO’s experimental mission, SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment), is set to launch next year. This twin spacecraft mission will mature technologies related to docking, orbital rendezvous, and in-space satellite servicing.

6. Shukrayaan-1: Studying Venus

ISRO’s mission to study Venus, known as Shukrayaan-1, was initially planned for 2024 but may be delayed to 2031. This mission represents ISRO’s ambition to explore beyond the Moon and Mars.

7. LUPEX: Lunar Polar Exploration Mission

After Chandrayaan-3, India’s next moon mission will be LUPEX, a joint mission with Japan’s JAXA. Slated to launch in 2025, LUPEX aims to explore the lunar polar region and demonstrate lunar and planetary surface exploration technologies.

Conclusion

ISRO’s upcoming space missions showcase India’s commitment to advancing space technology and exploration. From studying the Sun to launching manned missions, ISRO continues to inspire curiosity and trust in the scientific community worldwide.