Union Government Approves Shukrayaan-1 and India's Own Space Station

The Union Government has officially approved two major space missions by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): Shukrayaan-1, India’s Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), and the establishment of Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS), India’s very own space station.

Shukrayaan-1: India’s Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM)

Launch Date:

Scheduled for 2028.

Mission Objective:

Shukrayaan-1 aims to explore Venus, often referred to as Earth’s twin. Venus is believed to have formed under conditions similar to Earth, making it a crucial subject of study.
The mission will help scientists understand how planetary environments can evolve in radically different ways, and explore how Venus—believed to have once been habitable—transformed into the harsh environment we see today.
This mission will also provide India with the knowledge required for future planetary missions with larger payloads, including optimal orbit insertion techniques.

Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS): India’s Space Station

Launch Date:

The first module is slated for launch in 2028, with the station fully operational by 2035.

Mission Objective:

India will establish its own space station, which will initially consist of five pressurized modules. This compares to the 16 modules aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
BAS will serve as a transit facility for missions, including those to the Moon. It will also play a crucial role in India’s space exploration aspirations, with the goal of landing on the Moon by 2040 as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chandrayaan-4: India’s Next Moon Mission

1. Proposed Mission: Chandrayaan 4, a follow-up to Chandrayaan 3, is being developed to further India’s lunar exploration ambitions.

2. Landing Site: The mission aims for a precise landing at the Moon’s south pole, with plans to land at 90 degrees south, a more challenging location compared to Chandrayaan 3’s landing at 69.3 degrees south.

3. Rover: The rover will weigh 350 kg, which is 12 times heavier than the previous rover.

4. Collaboration: India plans to collaborate with Japan on this mission.

5. Sample Collection: Chandrayaan 4 will not only land on the Moon but also bring back soil and rock samples for the first time.

6. Execution Timeline: While ISRO is awaiting final approval, the mission is targeted for execution by 2030.

Significance of These Missions

Shukrayaan-1 will contribute valuable insights into Venus’ environmental history, helping to shape future planetary exploration missions. BAS will establish India as a key player in the global space community, with a fully functional space station supporting long-term space exploration.

Chandrayaan-4 will build on the success of Chandrayaan 3, pushing the boundaries of lunar exploration, including sample collection and collaborative international missions. These ambitious projects represent India’s growing capabilities in space technology and its increasing role in global space exploration.