Over the recent past, the ISRO has time and again demonstrated its excellence in the field of space science and engineering, laying down high-profile, low-cost programs across the world. As the year progresses up to 2024, the accomplishments and creations of ISRO enumerate not only India’s improving capability of space but also its aspiration in space sector as well as in satellite industry.
In this blog, you will read about some of ISRO’s current projects, new satellite launching goals, innovations of the organization, and specific targets for the year 2024.
Introduction: ISRO’s Vision for 2024
the year 2024 is turning into the critical year for ISRO to make new records in space technology and exploration. Successful lunar and Martian missions and past and ongoing satellite launches for various uses have manifested ISRO’s broad and ambitious vision to add new dimensions to space exploration and usage by carrying out projects that actively encourage interagency space collaboration and advancement of novel technology space possibilities. The company’s recent activities and new inventions depict a new horizon that is scientific, sustainable and space availability.
The excellent projects of 2024 are Gaganyaan human space flight, Shukrayaan-1 – India’s first venture to Venus, New Generation satellite policy in Earth observation and collaborations with foreign space agency.
1. Gaganyaan Mission: First Indian Sending Man in Space
Closely associated with the Gaganyaan Mission that is expected to be launched in 2024, ISRO’s pending projects include the first manned space mission from India. Previously scheduled for the earlier years, Gaganyaan’s development experienced a number of issues arising from human spaceflight challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. As technology and interacting progresses the mission to the planet is ready for a launch.
- Mission Objectives: The Gaganyaan mission aims to send a crew of three astronauts to a low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of approximately 400 km for a duration of up to seven days. The mission is designed to demonstrate India’s capability to independently send humans to space, adding India to the select group of nations with human spaceflight programs.
- Technological Innovations: The mission features a new crew module and an environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) to ensure the health and safety of astronauts in space. The Gaganyaan vehicle also includes a Crew Escape System, an essential feature for astronaut safety during launch.
- Training and International Partnerships: In preparation for the mission, ISRO partnered with Russia for astronaut training and developed crucial life-support technologies. The astronauts underwent extensive training in Russia and India, covering areas such as survival in space, zero-gravity adaptation, and emergency procedures.
2. Shukrayaan-1: The ambitious mission from ISRO shall be the first one to Venus
After the Mangalyaan mission to Mars and Chandrayaan missions to the Moon, ISRO is preparing to venture to Venus through the Shukrayaan-1 mission. Planned to is in late 2024, Shukrayaan-1 is the first mission of ISRO based on Venus, the second planet in the solar system and our closest neighbor on the astronomical scale.
- Mission Goals: Shukrayaan-1 proposed to study the Venusian exosphere and its temperature, as well map the surface of the planet and the geological and atmospheric processes. Considering that Venus is often referred to as resembling a ‘‘runaway greenhouse’’ Earth, studying its climate and surface might help planetary scientists to understand general planetary science and climate models.
- Payload and Instruments: Instruments on board the Shukrayaan-1 are spectrometers, radar and cameras. Most notably, the mission is to include a small synthetic aperture radar that will allow the exploration of the terrain through the thick clouds. This radar will permit to capture topography of the Venera’ s surface and find the zones of recent volcanic activity, which will give information about geodynamic activity.
- International Collaboration: Shukrayaan-1 is a multilateral co-operative programme with payload provided by the NASA and other international space agencies. These collaborations signify ISRO increasing engagements in global space science and enhanced position India occupy in interplanetary missions.
3. Advancements in Earth Observation: The Launch of EOS-07
In 2024, ISRO launched EOS-07, an advanced Earth Observation Satellite (EOS) designed to monitor climate, natural resources, and disaster-prone regions. Earth observation remains one of ISRO’s core areas, contributing to sustainable development, resource management, and disaster response in India and other countries.
- Key Features of EOS-07: EOS-07 is equipped with high-resolution imaging capabilities and hyperspectral sensors, providing valuable data on vegetation, soil moisture, land use, and urban sprawl. The satellite’s cutting-edge sensors can capture images with improved clarity and detect subtle changes in environmental conditions.
- Applications in Agriculture and Disaster Management: By providing precise and timely data, EOS-07 supports initiatives in agriculture by enabling better crop monitoring and soil health analysis. For disaster management, the satellite can monitor areas affected by floods, landslides, and cyclones, allowing for rapid response and more effective relief efforts.
- Environmental and Climate Research: EOS-07’s data is also crucial for climate research. By tracking atmospheric gases, temperature variations, and ocean parameters, the satellite aids in understanding climate change impacts on regional and global scales, contributing to ISRO’s ongoing efforts to support climate resilience.
4. Chandrayaan-3’s Success: Building on Lunar Exploration
Following the success of the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which included India’s first attempt at a soft landing on the Moon, 2024 saw ISRO achieving notable progress with Chandrayaan-3, a follow-up mission aimed at continuing lunar exploration.
- Lunar Exploration and Analysis: Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the Moon’s south pole, a region of particular interest due to its potential for water ice deposits. The mission’s rover is equipped with advanced tools to analyze lunar soil composition, providing data that could pave the way for future lunar bases and human exploration.
- Future of Lunar Missions: Chandrayaan-3’s success positions India as a key player in lunar research and exploration. The data collected is expected to contribute significantly to international lunar research, offering insights into the Moon’s resources and its potential as a base for future missions to Mars.
Conclusion: Potential and Direction of ISRO and Space Research
ISRO’s achievements of 2024 explain India’s growing horizon in space across human lunar missions, space tourism, and space mining with a focus on green technology. Every project, right from Gaganyaan mission to Earth observation are envisioned as long term strategic goals of ISRO to advance the state of the art technology while responding to global problems such as climate change or disasters.
Similarly, this research project seeks to facilitate ISRO’s ongoing progression and underscores the fact that not only does the space agency of India spark patriotic pride with people in India, but it also wins admiration and offers potential cooperation across the globe. On the basis of innovation, affordability and international cooperation, the future of ISRO seems bright as it will carry on making crucial contribution to mankind in exploration of the frontier of space responsibly.
