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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for an exhilarating year in space exploration, building on the successes of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and the triumphant launch of India’s inaugural solar observation mission, Aditya L1. With a slew of upcoming missions, ISRO is poised to elevate India’s understanding of outer space to new heights. Let’s delve into the details of the upcoming missions set to mark 2024 as a milestone year for India’s space endeavours.
NISAR Mission (January 2024):
The NISAR satellite, a collaborative effort between NASA and ISRO, will utilize advanced radar imaging technology to map Earth’s land and ice elevations at resolutions of 5 to 10 meters, conducting these measurements four to six times a month. This sophisticated satellite is specifically designed to observe and quantify complex natural phenomena, including ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapses, and various natural hazards like earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and landslides.
In this joint mission, NASA and ISRO have defined their respective roles and contributions. NASA will contribute to the mission’s L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a high-rate telecommunication subsystem for scientific data GPS receivers, a solid-state recorder, and a payload data subsystem. On the other hand, ISRO will be responsible for providing the satellite bus, an S-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), the launch vehicle, and associated launch services.
Gaganyaan 1 Mission (January or February 2024):
The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate India’s capability in human spaceflight by launching a crew of three members into an orbit 400 km above Earth for a three-day mission, with a safe return and landing in the Indian sea waters.
Being launched in January or February, the project involves a strategic approach that leverages in-house expertise, the experience of the Indian industry, the intellectual capabilities of Indian academia and research institutions, and cutting-edge technologies from international agencies. Critical technologies need to be developed for the Gaganyaan mission, including a human-rated launch vehicle for safe crew transport to space, a Life Support System to maintain an Earth-like environment for the crew, provisions for crew emergency escape, and the formulation of crew management aspects for training, recovery, and rehabilitation.
To ensure the readiness of technology, several precursor missions are planned to demonstrate Technology Preparedness Levels before the actual Human Space Flight mission. These missions encompass an Integrated AirDrop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT), and Test Vehicle (TV) flights. Unmanned missions will precede the manned mission, serving to validate the safety and reliability of all systems.
The Gaganyaan mission marks a significant milestone as it is the first time in 40 years that India will undertake a manned mission. The last manned mission was a collaboration with Interkosmos, the Soviet Union’s space agency, where Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma flew aboard the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic on April 3, 1984. The upcoming Gaganyaan mission symbolizes India’s progress in space exploration and its ability to conduct independent and advanced human spaceflight missions.
Mangalyaan-2 (MOM 2) Mission:
After making history nine years ago, India is gearing up to launch another spacecraft to Mars. According to a Hindustan Times report, ISRO is in the early stages of planning for a second Mars mission, informally named Mangalyaan-2.
The Mars Orbiter Mission-2, or Mangalyaan-2, is slated to carry four distinct payloads aimed at studying various aspects of the red planet. Among the mission’s objectives are investigations into interplanetary dust and a comprehensive study of the Martian atmosphere and environment.
The payloads on Mangalyaan-2 include the Mars Orbit Dust Experiment (MODEX), a Radio Occultation (RO) experiment, an Energetic Ion Spectrometer (EIS), and a Langmuir Probe and Electric Field Experiment (LPEX). MODEX will play a key role in enhancing our understanding of the origin, abundance, distribution, and flux of dust at high altitudes on Mars.
The RO experiment is being designed to measure neutral and electron density profiles in the Martian atmosphere. Functioning as a microwave transmitter operating at X-band frequency, this instrument will provide valuable insights into the behaviour of the Martian atmosphere.
ISRO’s focus on understanding the loss of atmosphere on Mars is evident in the planned development of the Energetic Ion Spectrometer (EIS). This instrument aims to characterize solar energy particles and supra-thermal solar wind particles within the Martian environment, shedding light on the factors contributing to the depletion of the Martian atmosphere.
Shukrayaan-1 (Venus Orbiter Mission) – December 2024 or 2025:
Originally scheduled for a mid-2023 launch, the Shukrayaan I mission by ISRO faced delays due to the pandemic, with the new launch date set for December 2024. Similar setbacks have impacted other ISRO missions, such as Aditya L1 and Chandrayaan III, with manufacturing delays and commercial launch commitments playing a role.
The optimal launch windows from Earth to Venus occur approximately every 19 months, leading ISRO to have backup launch dates in 2026 and 2028 in case the 2024 opportunity is missed. However, even more, fuel-efficient launch windows occur every eight years, with the 2031 window currently considered highly favourable by experts.
Shukrayaan I is designed as an Orbiter Mission, equipped with scientific payloads that include a high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and a ground-penetrating radar. The SAR will be crucial for examining Venus’ surface despite the planet’s cloud cover, as it can produce high-resolution images capable of penetrating clouds and darkness, enabling data collection day and night in any weather.
The mission’s objectives include the investigation of surface processes and shallow subsurface stratigraphy, providing the first-ever observation of Venus’s sub-surface. Stratigraphy, a branch of geology, involves studying rock layers and layering. Shukrayaan I also aims to study the structure, composition, and dynamics of Venus’s atmosphere, investigate the interaction between the solar wind and the Venusian ionosphere, and shed light on the planet’s geological and volcanic activity, emissions on the ground, wind speed, cloud cover, and other characteristics.
INSAT 3DS Mission (January 2024):
Adding to the roster of ambitious missions is the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) series, with INSAT 3DS set for a prospective launch in January 2024. Developed by ISRO, this satellite holds a crucial role in monitoring and improving our understanding of weather systems. It is equipped to enhance disaster management efforts and advance meteorological forecasts. The launch vehicle for INSAT-3DS will be the GSLV-MK-II.
X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (2024):
Scheduled for launch in 2024, the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite is designed to investigate the polarization of cosmic X-rays. With a minimum operational lifespan of five years, this satellite will play a crucial role in observing celestial phenomena such as pulsars, X-ray binaries involving black holes, active galactic nuclei, and non-thermal supernova remnants. The mission promises to unravel the secrets of the universe hidden within the X-ray spectrum.
As we look forward to 2024, ISRO stands at the forefront of space exploration, poised to achieve new milestones and expand India’s cosmic footprint. The diverse array of missions, from remote sensing and interplanetary exploration to human spaceflight endeavours, showcases the nation’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and technological prowess. The upcoming year promises to be a thrilling chapter in India’s space odyssey, with ISRO leading the charge into the vast realms of outer space.