After the triumphant success of Chandrayaan 3 mission to the Moon and the Aditya-L1 mission to study the Sun, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has set its sights on exploring Venus, the brightest planet in our solar system.
Scheduled for launch in the coming years, ISRO Chairman S. Somnath in his address at Indian National Science Academy in New Delhi emphasized the significance of Venus in the realm of space science. He said, “Venus is an interesting planet, and studying it could provide answers to several questions in the field of space science.”
India’s Mission Venus Configured
Moreover, detailing on the space research body’s preperation on the planet exploraion, S. Somnath shared, “We have a lot of missions in the conceptual phase, and a mission to Venus is already configured.” He further added, “Payloads have already been developed for the mission.”
Mission Shukrayaan: Primary Objective
The primary objective of this upcoming mission is to study the surface and atmosphere of Venus, known for its thick atmosphere laden with acids. Navigating the atmospheric pressure on Venus, which is about 100 times that of Earth, presents a significant challenge for exploration.
Further, in his address, highlighting the unique characteristics of Venus, S. Somnath stated, “Venus is a very interesting planet with a dense atmosphere, high atmospheric pressure, and acidic composition. Penetrating the surface is challenging, and understanding its composition and nature is crucial.” He also raised the possibility of Earth’s future resembling Venus, emphasizing the importance of understanding such planetary transitions.
Venus Mission:
European Space Agency’s Venus Express Mission (2006-2016) and Japan’s Akatsuki Orbiter Studying the Planet since 2016
