November 26, 2024: In a significant development, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has received approval from the Indian government for its highly anticipated Venus Orbiter Mission, Shukrayaan. This mission is slated for launch in 2028 and aims to deepen humanity’s understanding of Venus, often referred to as Earth’s twin, due to its similar size and mass.
Nilesh Desai, Director of ISRO, confirmed the approval, stating, “The Indian government has recently given the green light to our Venus Orbiting Satellite—Shukrayaan. This mission is a crucial step in expanding our space exploration capabilities, focusing on the atmospheric and surface conditions of Venus.”
Shukrayaan will be India’s first dedicated mission to Venus, where it will study the planet’s thick atmosphere, surface geology, and its mysterious cloud formations. The orbiter is expected to provide critical data to help scientists understand Venus's climatic and geological evolution, as well as its potential habitability.
In addition to Shukrayaan, Desai shared exciting news about the upcoming Chandrayaan 4 mission, which is expected to follow the successful Chandrayaan 3 mission. While Chandrayaan 3 marked India’s landmark achievement in landing on the Moon’s south pole, the Chandrayaan 4 mission aims to build on that success.
Desai revealed that Chandrayaan 4 will be a joint mission with Japan, targeting a much more precise landing on the Moon’s south pole at a latitude of 90 degrees south, a location never before attempted. This mission will include a new, heavier 350 kg rover, significantly larger than the previous rover sent to the Moon. The collaboration with Japan is expected to bring advanced technological expertise to the mission.
Though the Chandrayaan 4 mission is still awaiting government approval, Desai mentioned that if given the green light, the mission could be executed by 2030. The upcoming missions underscore India’s growing space exploration ambitions, with ISRO positioning itself as a global leader in planetary research and exploration.