The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has proudly announced that Chandrayaan-3, India's 3rd lunar mission, is successfully proceeding on its voyage. It is expected to reach the Moon by the end of August, staying perfectly on its planned course.
The landing, anticipated around August 23, will conclude the three-week-long journey. Once achieved, it will establish India in an elite group of nations that have managed a soft landing on the Moon, a list currently occupied by the United States, the erstwhile Soviet Union, and China.
ISRO's Mission: What After Chandrayaan-3?
India's ventures into space exploration don't stop at Chandrayaan-3. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is actively working on several ambitious projects. Let's take a look at what ISRO has in store for the future.
Gaganyaan: India's Maiden Manned Space Mission
ISRO's ambitious Gaganyaan mission, initially planned for 2022, has been deferred till at least 2025. Despite the delay, the project's first unmanned flight test is projected to commence in August.
ISRO's robotic astronaut, Vyommitra, a half-humanoid robot capable of bending sideward and forward, is scheduled to be onboard the spacecraft. The robot will execute specific experiments while maintaining regular contact with the ISRO command center.
The primary goal of the Gaganyaan project is to showcase India's human spaceflight capabilities. The mission involves launching a three-member crew into an orbit 400 km above Earth for a period of 5-7 days, with the safe return of the crew marking a successful mission.
The Aditya L-1 Mission: India's First Solar Expedition
Next on ISRO's agenda is the first scientific expedition to the Sun, the Aditya L-1 mission, slated for launch in August. Following AstroSat, launched in 2015, Aditya L-1 will be ISRO's second space-based astronomy mission.
Aditya L-1 is designed to be positioned in a Halo orbit around the Lagrange point-1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system. The ISRO solar mission allows uninterrupted observation of the Sun, offering valuable insights into the sun's activities and its impact on space weather.
NISAR: Joint Mission with the US
The joint Nasa-Isro SAR (NISAR) Mission, equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, aims to monitor Earth's changing ecosystems, dynamic surfaces, and ice masses.
The mission has the potential to track volcanic eruptions, groundwater supplies, ice sheet melting rates, and shifts in global vegetation distribution.
NISAR, with an estimated cost of $1.5 billion, is the world's most expensive satellite and the first to operate on dual frequency. Its launch is anticipated for January 2024.
Mangalyaan-2 and Shukaryaan: Exploring Mars and Venus
Mangalyaan-2, India's second mission to Mars, and the tentative Venus mission, Shukaryaan, symbolize India's expanding interplanetary exploration endeavors.
While Mangalyaan-2 will consist of an orbital probe equipped with a hyperspectral camera and radar, the launch of Shukaryaan may be delayed until 2031 due to pending governmental approval.
SPADEX: Autonomous Docking of Spacecraft
ISRO's SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment) aims to demonstrate the autonomous docking of two spacecraft in orbit, a critical capability for building a multi-module space station and facilitating future human interplanetary missions and in-orbit spacecraft refueling.
In conclusion, the ISRO's future plans extend well beyond the Chandrayaan-3 mission, with a clear focus on advancing human space exploration and interplanetary missions.
The Indian Space Research Organisation continues to blaze a trail in the global space community, fostering the spirit of exploration, discovery, and scientific advancement.
