ISRO mission to Venus eyes Dec’24 launch window
Chairman urges scientists to focus on high-impact outcomes
NEW DELHI: After sending missions to the Moon and Mars, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is now readying a spacecraft to orbit Venus to study what lies below the surface of the solar system’s hottest planet, and also unravel the mysteries under the sulfuric acid clouds enveloping it.
Addressing a day-long meeting on Venusian science, ISRO Chairman S Somnath said the Venus mission has been conceived, a project report made and “money identified”.
He urged scientists to focus on high-impact outcomes.
“Building and putting a mission on Venus is possible for India in a very short space of time as the capability today exists with India,” Somnath said in his inaugural address.
ISRO is eyeing the December 2024 window for its launch with orbital manoeuvres planned for the following year when earth and Venus would be so aligned that the spacecraft could be put in the neighbouring planet’s orbit using a minimum amount of propellant.
The next similar window would be available in 2031.
Building and putting a mission on Venus is possible in a very short span of time as the capability today exists with India
Somnath cautioned against repeating experiments conducted by previous missions to the Venus and focus on unique high-impact outcomes as were achieved by Chandrayaan-I and Mars Orbiter Mission.
Among the experiments planned, it includes an investigation of the surface processes and shallow sub-surface stratigraphy, including active volcanic hotspots and lava flows, studying the structure, composition, and dynamics of the atmosphere, and investigation of solar wind interaction with the Venusian Ionosphere.
A key instrument on the spacecraft will be the high resolution synthetic aperture radar to examine the Venusian surface, which is covered by dense clouds that make it impossible to view the planet’s surface.
The mission will also bring an instrument to Venus to examine the planet’s atmosphere in infrared, ultraviolet and submillimeter wavelengths.