ISRO Accelerates Lunar Ambitions with Chandrayaan-4 and 5: Sample Return, Polar Rover, and Global Partnerships in Play

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has officially confirmed that Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5 are actively in development—marking a bold leap in India’s lunar ambitions.

Mission Highlights

Chandrayaan-4

• Scheduled for launch around 2027
• Will be India’s first lunar sample-return mission, targeting the Shiv Shakti landing site
• Includes a Venus Orbiter Mission, expanding ISRO’s interplanetary portfolio

Chandrayaan-5

• A joint venture with Japan’s JAXA
• Features a 250 kg rover—a major upgrade from Chandrayaan-3’s 25 kg Pragyan rover
• Designed to operate through the harsh lunar night at the Moon’s south pole

Technologies Powering Chandrayaan-4 & Chandrayaan-5

Chandrayaan-4: Lunar Sample Return Mission

This mission is a complex ballet of modular engineering and orbital choreography:

Module	Function
Propulsion System	Transports lander and ascender to lunar orbit
Descender (Lander)	Executes soft landing and collects lunar regolith
Ascender	Detaches post-sampling and lifts off from Moon’s surface
Transfer Module	Receives samples from Ascender and hands off to Re-entry Module
Re-entry Module	Returns samples safely to Earth, designed to survive atmospheric re-entry

• Space Docking Capability via SPADEX experiment
• Dual Rocket Launch Strategy using LVM3 and PSLV
• Robotic Sampling Arm for precise regolith collection
• Thermal Shielding for safe Earth re-entry

Chandrayaan-5: Indo-Japanese LUPEX Mission

This mission is all about long-duration survival and deep polar exploration:

 

Feature	Details
Heavy Rover (250 kg)	Equipped for subsurface analysis and night-time operation
Advanced Power Systems	Likely includes RTGs or high-efficiency solar arrays
JAXA Collaboration	Brings precision landing and terrain mapping expertise
South Pole Targeting	Focus on permanently shadowed regions for water ice detection

• Autonomous Navigation for rugged terrain and low-light conditions
• Cryogenic Sampling Tools to extract and preserve volatiles
• Radiation-Hardened Electronics for extreme lunar environments

Strategic Impact

These missions aren’t just scientific—they’re foundational for:

• Crewed lunar landings by 2040
• Bharatiya Antariksh Station development
• Global partnerships in deep space exploration

Broader Vision

• ISRO is also developing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), with the first module planned for 2028 and full deployment by 2035. 
• The Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission will see an uncrewed launch in December 2025, followed by a crewed mission in early 2027. 
• India aims for a crewed lunar landing by 2040, using fully indigenous technologies

This roadmap positions India among the elite spacefaring nations, blending scientific ambition with strategic partnerships. Want a visual timeline or stylized summary for editorial use? I’d be thrilled to co-create one with you.

India Expands Astronaut Pool to Include Women and Civilians in Bold Space Push

In a landmark move to democratize space exploration, India will now include women and professionals from diverse backgrounds in its astronaut pool, breaking away from its earlier reliance solely on Indian Air Force pilots. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address on National Space Day, marking a new chapter in the country’s human spaceflight ambitions.

Prime Minister Modi addressed the country on the National Space Day, August 23, 2025. He announced plans to form a diverse astronaut pool and emphasized the need for 40–50 trained astronauts to support future missions like Gaganyaan, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, and a manned Moon mission.

From Air Force to All Walks of Life

Until now, India’s astronaut training was limited to elite Air Force personnel. The first batch for the Gaganyaan mission—Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla, Prashanth Nair, Angad Pratap, and Ajith Krishnan—underwent rigorous training in Russia and India. However, ISRO officials confirmed that future selections will be open to women and civilians, reflecting global trends in space participation.

"The astronaut pool will not be restricted to the Air Force alone. It will have people from all walks of life,” said a senior ISRO official. Globally, it’s not just researchers but also entrepreneurs who are travelling to space.

Vision for Human Spaceflight

The initiative aligns with India’s long-term space roadmap:

• Gaganyaan Mission: First crewed flight expected by 2027
• Bharatiya Antariksh Station: Indigenous space station planned by 2035
• Manned Moon Mission: Targeted for 2040

PM Modi emphasized the need for a ready pool of 40–50 astronauts to support sustained missions and invited youth to join this national endeavor.

A New Era of Inclusivity

The decision to diversify the astronaut pool is seen as a major step toward inclusivity and innovation in India’s space program. It also fulfills a promise made by Modi in his 2018 Independence Day speech: “An Indian boy or girl will unfurl the Tricolour in space."

In my conversation with Group Captain Shubhanshu, I saw the boundless courage and infinite dreams of the youth of New Bharat. On this Space Day, I invite my young friends to join this astronaut pool and give wings to the dreams of Bharat. – PM Modi. 

Global Context

India joins a growing list of nations expanding astronaut eligibility beyond military ranks. NASA, ESA, and private companies like SpaceX have already sent scientists, engineers, and even artists into orbit.

India Joins Global Space Research: ISRO to Study Long-Term Space Missions on Ax-4

ISRO is conducting research on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) in collaboration with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) to support long-duration space missions.

With duration up to 14 days docked at the International Space Station (ISS), the Ax-4 astronauts crew will led by Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), with Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznański-Wisniewski (Poland), and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary).

The studies aim to enhance India's capabilities in space exploration and contribute to global scientific progress.

India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Ax-4 mission, which includes around 60 scientific studies, with 7 led by Indian space agency ISRO. Shukla will serve as the mission pilot, making him the second Indian citizen to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma.

Shukla and his backup astronaut, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, have undergone rigorous training with NASA and Axiom Space.

The Ax-4 crew 

 

Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla

India is working alongside NASA, ESA, and Axiom Space, strengthening its presence in international space exploration. This mission is a stepping stone for India's future human spaceflight programs, including Gaganyaan.

In an announcement, Axiom Space said, "ISRO has a strong portfolio of life science experiments. In collaboration with NASA and Redwire, the "Space Microalgae" project investigates the impact of microgravity on the growth, metabolism, and genetic activity of three strains of edible microalgae. These tiny organisms could become a sustainable food source for long-duration space missions, thanks to their rich protein, lipid, and bioactive components." 

Some key research areas include:

• Human Research: Studying how astronauts interact with electronic displays in microgravity to improve spacecraft computer design.
• Life Sciences: Investigating microalgae and cyanobacteria growth in space, which could lead to sustainable food sources and environmental control systems.
• Muscle Regeneration: Exploring metabolic supplements to prevent muscle atrophy in astronauts.
• Crop Growth: Examining the germination and growth of crop seeds in microgravity to support future space farming.
• ISRO is also exploring the potential of growing crops in space. The "Sprouting Salad Seeds in Space" experiment, in collaboration with NASA and BioServe Space Technologies, investigates the germination and growth of crop seeds in microgravity. 
• Tardigrade: In partnership with NASA and Voyager, ISRO is studying the resilience of tardigrades, tiny creatures known for their ability to survive extreme conditions. This experiment will examine the revival, survival, and reproduction of tardigrades on the International Space Station, comparing gene expression patterns between space-flown and ground control populations. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of their resilience could inform future space exploration and lead to innovative biotechnology applications on Earth.

The mission is expected to launch no earlier than May 2025 and will be docked at the International Space Station (ISS) for up to 14 days.

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), organized by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA, ISRO, and the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than May 2025 and will be docked at the ISS for up to 14 days.

Key Details:

• Crew: Led by Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), with Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznański-Wisniewski (Poland), and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
• Research Focus: Ax-4 will conduct around 60 scientific studies, including seven led by ISRO, covering human research, life sciences, muscle regeneration, and crop growth in microgravity.
• Significance: This mission marks India’s second human spaceflight and strengthens its presence in global space exploration.

Ax-4 is shaping up to be one of the most research-intensive missions yet!

Indian Scientists Use Bacteria to Repair Space Bricks—Set for Gaganyaan Mission

Transporting construction materials from Earth to space is one of the biggest challenges in space exploration due to high costs, logistical constraints, and extreme environmental conditions. According to NASA, launching materials into space can cost in range from $10,000 to $15,000 per kg.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have engineered a bacteria-based technique to repair bricks used in space habitats. The bacterium, Sporosarcina pasteurii, produces calcium carbonate, which helps fill cracks in bricks exposed to the Moon’s extreme conditions.

These bricks, made from lunar soil simulants, can suffer damage due to temperature swings from 121°C to -133°C, solar radiation, and meteorite impacts. To counter this, IISc scientists introduced artificial defects in sintered bricks and injected a slurry containing the bacteria, guar gum, and lunar soil simulant. Over time, the bacteria solidified the slurry and reinforced the bricks, making them more resilient.

 

Bricks with artificially created flaws, alongside bricks repaired using the bacteria-filled slurry (Photo: IISc/ Amogh Jadhav)

Now, a sample of this bacteria is set to be sent into space aboard India’s Gaganyaan mission to study its behavior in microgravity.

What problem does this solves?

This bacteria-based method solves multiple challenges in space habitat construction, making structures stronger, self-healing, and more sustainable. Here's what it tackles:

Problems Solved by Bacteria-Modified Bricks

1. Cracking & Structural Weakness
• Space bricks suffer from cracks due to extreme temperature shifts, radiation, and micrometeorite impacts.
• Traditional bricks require frequent repairs, which is difficult in space.
• The bacteria self-heal cracks, restoring up to 54% of strength.
2. Costly Transport of Materials from Earth
• Carrying construction materials from Earth is prohibitively expensive.
• These bricks form on-site using lunar soil simulants, reducing payload costs.
3. Fragility of Traditional Sintered Bricks
• Sintering bricks makes them brittle and prone to damage.
• Bacteria-modified bricks reinforce weak spots, making them stronger and durable.
4. Challenges of Long-Term Space Habitats
• Current materials need replacements over time, increasing dependency on Earth.
• This method could lead to self-sustaining lunar and Martian habitats, reducing maintenance.

Big Picture Impact

• Enables self-repairing structures, reducing astronaut workload.
• Improves the feasibility of permanent settlements on the Moon & Mars.
• India's Gaganyaan mission will test how bacteria behave in microgravity, potentially paving the way for off-world construction.

How ISRO Plans to Land Mangalyaan-2 on Mars

ISRO's Mars Lander Mission (MLM) (unofficially called Mangalyaan-2) mission is set to be India's first attempt at landing on Mars, marking a significant leap in interplanetary exploration. Unlike its predecessor, which was an orbiter, this mission will include a lander and a helicopter for surface exploration.

Key Landing Strategy:

1. Launch & Cruise Stage: The spacecraft will be launched aboard the LVM3 rocket and initially placed in an Earth orbit of 190 x 35,786 km. From there, a Cruise Stage will propel it toward Mars.
2. Direct Entry Approach: Upon reaching Mars, the Descent Stage will detach and make a direct atmospheric entry, skipping the need for orbiting before landing.
3. Aerobraking & Parachutes: To slow down, ISRO will use aerobraking, leveraging the Martian atmosphere to reduce velocity. A heat-protective aeroshell and supersonic parachutes will help manage the intense atmospheric friction.
4. Final Descent & Touchdown: At 1.3 km above the surface, the lander will activate its powered descent system, using onboard engines to ensure a soft and precise landing.

If successful, Mangalyaan-2 will place India among the elite nations that have landed on Mars, providing invaluable data for future missions. While ISRO has yet to confirm a launch date, the mission's complexity highlights India's growing capabilities in space exploration.

An illustration of NASA's Perseverance rover landing safely on Mars. Hundreds of critical events must execute perfectly and exactly on time for the rover to land safely on Feb. 18, 2021. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Mangalyaan-2 is a major upgrade from India's first Mars mission, Mangalyaan-1. Unlike Mangalyaan-1, which was an orbiter, Mangalyaan-2 will include a lander and a helicopter to explore the Martian surface. 

The new mission can carry 7 times more payload than its Mangalyaan-1, allowing for more sophisticated scientific instruments. Instead of orbiting Mars first, Mangalyaan-2 will make a direct atmospheric entry before landing. 

This mission marks India's first attempt at landing on another planet, putting ISRO in an elite group of space agencies.

Exciting, right? What aspect of the mission interests you the most?

Texas-based Firefly Aerospace Now the 2nd Pvt Company Ever to Achieve a Soft-Landing on the Moon

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully touched down on the moon, making it only the second private-sector company to achieve this feat.

The Blue Ghost lander, which carried 10 scientific payloads, landed near an ancient volcanic vent on Mare Crisium. This mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which aims to support lunar exploration and research.

The Blue Ghost mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.

Firefly's success marks a significant milestone in the modern moon race, with private companies playing an increasingly important role in lunar missions. The lander will conduct various scientific experiments and capture high-definition imagery during its 14-day mission on the moon.

The first private company to achieve a soft lunar landing was Intuitive Machines. Their Odysseus lander successfully touched down on the moon in February 2024. However, the landing was not without its challenges, as the lander came down too fast and tipped over on impact, which affected its ability to generate enough solar power.

Blue Ghost Mission 1 - Lunar Lander Fully Assembled (Image - Firefly Aerospace/Flickr 

Firefly Aerospace's recent success with the Blue Ghost lander marks the second private-sector company to achieve this feat.

Blue Ghost will now begin its surface operations and support several NASA science and technology demonstrations over the next 14 days – equivalent to a full lunar day.

On March 14, Firefly expects to capture high-definition imagery of a total eclipse when the Earth blocks the sun above the Moon’s horizon.

On March 16, Blue Ghost will then capture the lunar sunset, providing data on how lunar dust levitates due to solar influences and creates a lunar horizon glow first documented by Eugene Cernan on Apollo 17. Following the sunset, Blue Ghost will operate several hours into the lunar night and continue to capture imagery that observes how levitating dust behavior changes after the sunset.

In its 45-day journey to the Moon, Blue Ghost traveled more than 2.8 million miles, downlinked more than 27 GB of data, and supported several payload science operations. This included signal tracking from the Global Navigation Satellite System at a record-breaking distance with the LuGRE payload, radiation tolerant computing through the Van Allen Belts with the RadPC payload, and measurements of magnetic field changes with the LMS payload.

Firefly will continue to provide regular updates on the Blue Ghost Mission 1 webpage through the completion of the mission. NASA’s Artemis blog will share additional details on payload operations. 

Headquartered in Cedar Park, Texas, Firefly is working on several upcoming missions, including additional lunar missions with the Blue Ghost lander and on-orbit missions with their Elytra vehicle.

Founded in March 2017 by Tom Markusic, Firefly focuses on developing small- and medium-lift launch vehicles for commercial space missions. The space technology company has secured multiple contracts with NASA and other organizations. For example, they were awarded a $179 million NASA contract for a moon delivery to the Gruithuisen Domes.

Firefly's main products include the Alpha (small-lift launch vehicle), MLV (medium-lift launch vehicle), Blue Ghost (lunar lander), and Elytra (space tug).

Modi Govt Approves ISRO's New Launch Pad Valued at $480 Mn

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of a new and Third Launch Pad (TLP) of Indian Space agency, ISRO, at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

This project is valued at Rs 3,984 crore (US $480 Million) and is expected to be completed within 48 months or 4 years.

The project cost includes the establishment of the Launch Pad and the associated facilities.

Currently, Indian Space Transportation Systems are completely reliant on two launch pads viz. First Launch Pad (FLP) & Second Launch Pad (SLP). FLP was realized 30 years ago for PSLV and continues to provide launch support for PSLV & SSLV.

The Second Launch Pad (SLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh was established in 2005. It was primarily built to support the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and LVM3 launch vehicles, and it also functions as a standby for the First Launch Pad (FLP).

Key Points of new Third Launch Pad (TLP):

Purpose: The new launch pad will support ISRO's Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) and serve as a standby for the existing Second Launch Pad.

Capacity Enhancement: This will significantly enhance ISRO's launch capacity, enabling more frequent and complex missions.

Future Missions: The TLP will support upcoming human spaceflight missions and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India's planned space station.

Design: The launch pad will have a universal and adaptable configuration to support various launch vehicles, including the LVM3 vehicles with semicryogenic stages.

This development marks a significant step in strengthening India's space infrastructure and expanding its capabilities in space exploration.

ISRO and ESA Sign Agreement to Collaborate on Astronaut Training, Research Experiments

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a significant agreement to enhance cooperation in human spaceflight.

This collaboration focuses on astronaut training, mission implementation, and research experiments.

Key highlights of the agreement include:

1. Astronaut Training: Joint training programs for astronauts, including participation in ESA's human physiological studies and technology demonstration experiments.

2. Mission Implementation: Collaboration on the upcoming Axiom-4 mission, where an ISRO astronaut and an ESA astronaut will be part of the crew.

3. Research Experiments: Development and integration of experiments designed by Indian Principal Investigators aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This means that Indian astronauts can use ESA facilities ISS, cooperation on human and biomedical research experiment implementation as well as joint education and outreach activities.

4. Educational Outreach: Joint initiatives to promote space science and technology education.

5. Interoperability: Enhancing interoperability between human spaceflight platforms, including India's upcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).

Dr. S Somanath in his remarks highlighted that ISRO has defined a roadmap for human space flight activities and the recent approval of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) present an opportunity to develop interoperability between human spaceflight platforms. ESA Director General, Dr. Aschbacher, thanked Dr. Somanath for speaking at ESA Council and remarked that the agreement provides a strong basis of cooperation between the two agencies.

The leadership of both ISRO and ESA expressed satisfaction with the progress of joint activities for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission and underlined the need for continuing cooperative activities in the area of human spaceflight in future.

This partnership aims to boost India's human spaceflight capabilities and foster global collaboration in space exploration.

To recall, in late last month ISRO has also signed an Implementing Arrangement (IA) with Australian Space Agency (ASA) to strengthen cooperation in space activities. This agreement is focused on crew and crew module recovery for ISRO's Gaganyaan missions.

ISRO and Australian Space Agency ASA Sign Agreement for Gaganyaan Mission

On November 20, 2024, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Australian Space Agency (ASA) signed an Implementing Arrangement (IA) to strengthen cooperation in space activities. This agreement focuses on crew and crew module recovery for ISRO's Gaganyaan missions. 

ISRO's ambitious human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability in Low Earth Orbit with an Indian crew module. The programme includes three un-crewed missions, with the first scheduled for 2024-25.

ISRO & ASA sign Implementing Arrangement for Gaganyaan

The first crewed mission is planned for 2025-27.

The IA enables Australian authorities to support ISRO in search and rescue operations and recovery of the crew module in case of contingencies near Australian waters.

This agreement further solidifies the strategic partnership between India and Australia in space exploration.

It may be recalled that ISRO and the Australian Space Agency (ASA) have had several collaborations over the years, focusing on various aspects of space technology and exploration.

In 2012, ISRO and ASA signed an inter-governmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in civil space science, technology, and education. This MoU laid the foundation for future collaborations between the two agencies.

During the Bengaluru Space Expo in 2023, ISRO and ASA facilitated the signing of six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with space technology entrepreneurs from both countries. These MoUs focused on cooperative space flights, product integration, testing, and technology development.

In June this year, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Govt. of India company under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of ISRO and Space Machines Company, an Australian-Indian in-space servicing firm, have signed a landmark Dedicated Launch Service Agreement.

Beside the Govt operated space agencies, private companies and startups from India & Australia have also been collaborating with each other. In September, Australian Space tech company Space Machines Company, and India's Ananth Technologies and Digantaara partnered to conduct cooperative space flights and work together on product integration, testing, and technology development.

Indian space technology startup SatSure also collaborated with Space Machines to develop satellite and AI-based solutions to assist the agricultural, mining, and defense sectors in space[

Another Space technology startups Skyroot Aerospace and Australia's QL Space teamed up to build launch pads in Australia and conduct cooperative mineral exploration flights.

IN-SPACe with ASI & ISRO Introduces Model Rocketry Competition for Students

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), in collaboration with the Astronautical Society of India (ASI) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), has launched the IN-SPACe Model Rocketry India Student Competition 2024-25 to create awareness and inspire technological talent in the field of rocketry among Indian students. This initiative supports the growth of a skilled STEM workforce with a specific emphasis on space technology.

The event, aimed at promoting innovation and technical expertise, has drawn participation from 86 student teams nationwide. After thorough evaluation and design reviews, 55 teams have advanced to attend the "Essentials of Model Rocketry Workshop," held in partnership with the Indian Air Force. The workshop is hosted at Air Force Station, Jalahalli (West), Bengaluru, from November 9 to 15, 2024.

The workshop was inaugurated by esteemed Chief Guest Padma Shri Dr. B N Suresh, Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST). Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, PD, IN-SPACe, Executive Secretary ASI who has conceptualized the Model Rocketry Workshop and other nationwide student competitions briefed the gathering on the workshop curriculum and importance of Model Rocketry.

Participants from all over the country will get a chance to gain a deep understanding of the fundamental principles behind model rocket design, propulsion systems, deployment and separation mechanisms, and mission design from industry leaders and academia from ISRO, VSSC, NGEs and IIST.

The inaugural session was also graced by AVM Premkumar Krishnaswami VM VSM, Commandant of the Weapon Systems School; Air Cmde Santhosh KP Hegde, AOC, AFS, Jalahalli; and Gp Capt. Santhosh Kumar Vayakodan, CO, CTI, AFS, Jalahalli.

Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, PD, IN-SPACe said, “This unique workshop will help to ignite the passion for space exploration among young people by giving them an insight into rocketry and space technology. The workshop has been envisioned to encourage children to learn and innovate through practical sessions. We believe that empowering these young innovators today will lead to their contributing to India's journey to a leadership position in the global space arena."

“As an Aerospace Combatant, I understand and recognize the importance of nurturing young minds for the future growth of space technologies. The aim of this workshop is to instill a culture of innovation and critical thinking, and inspire our youth to pursue a career in aerospace engineering, thereby contributing to our nation’s growth in this domain,” said Air Vice Marshal Premkumar Krishnaswamy.

This unique collaboration between IN-SPACe, ASI, ISRO, and the Air Force highlights India's commitment to building a new generation of space enthusiasts and Innovators.

About IN-SPACe:

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous nodal agency under Department of Space, Government of India formed on 24 June 2020 to promote, enable, authorize and supervise non-government entities (NGE) to undertake space activities. These activities include manufacturing of launch vehicles and satellites, providing space-based services, establishing a ground station, sharing of space infrastructure & facilities; and establishing new facilities under DOS.

IN-SPACe is currently functioning with three directorates viz., Promotion Directorate (PD), Technical Directorate (TD) and Program Management and Authorization Directorate (PMAD) and Legal, Finance and Administration Wing with its headquarters at Ahmedabad.

Indian Govt Approves Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) to Send $98.5 Mn Scientific Spacecraft in the Venus' Orbit

India is setting its sights on Venus with the ambitious Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM). The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved this mission, which is scheduled for launch in March 2028.

The mission aims to study Venus' surface, atmosphere, and volcanic activity, providing valuable insights into the planet's evolution and its similarities and differences with Earth. This initiative marks another significant step in India's expanding space exploration efforts, following the successful missions to the Moon and Mars.

The total fund approved for the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), is Rs.1236 Crore (approximately US$ 147.7 million) out of which Rs 824.00 Crore (approximately US$ 98.5 million) will be spent on the spacecraft. The cost includes development and realization of the spacecraft including its specific payloads and technology elements, global ground station support cost for navigation and network as well as the cost of launch vehicle.

The Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), also known as Shukrayaan-1, will carry a suite of scientific instruments designed to study various aspects of Venus.

These instruments will help scientists gain a deeper understanding of Venus’ atmosphere, surface, and geological history, providing valuable data for comparative planetology.

So far, India and its space agency ISRO has successfully sent scientific spacecrafts to Orbits of the Sun, the Moon and Planet Mars.

In 2008, India launched its first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, which confirmed the presence of water molecules on the Moon.

The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2013 made India the first country to reach Mars orbit on its maiden attempt. AstroSat, launched in 2015, marked India’s first dedicated astronomy mission. The recent Chandrayaan-3 mission in 2023 successfully landed on the lunar south pole, making India the fourth nation to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.

Additionally, the Aditya-L1 mission, launched in 2023, aims to study the Sun.

These achievements highlight India’s growing capabilities and ambitions in space exploration, positioning it as a significant player on the global stage. 

Aditya-L1: Solar Wind Ion Spectrometer (SWIS) in the ASPEX Payload Is Now Operational

The Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX) payload onboard India's Aditya-L1 satellite has commenced its operations and is performing normally.

Aditya L1 is carrying 7 different payloads to have a detailed study of the Sun. ASPEX comprises two cutting-edge instruments – the Solar wind Ion Spectrometer (SWIS) and STEPS (SupraThermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer). The STEPS instrument was operational on September 10, 2023. The SWIS instrument was activated on November 2, 2023, and has exhibited optimal performance.

SWIS, utilizing two sensor units with a remarkable 360° field of view each, operates in planes perpendicular to one another. The instrument has successfully measured solar wind ions, primarily protons and alpha particles. A sample energy histogram acquired from one of the sensors over two days in November 2023 illustrates variations in proton (H+) and alpha particle (doubly ionized helium, He2+) counts. These variations were recorded with nominal integration time, providing a comprehensive snapshot of solar wind behaviour.

The directional capabilities of SWIS enable precise measurements of solar wind protons and alphas, contributing significantly to addressing longstanding questions about solar wind properties, underlying processes, and their impact on Earth.

The change in the proton and alpha particle number ratio, as observed by SWIS, holds the potential to provide indirect information about the arrival of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) at the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point L1. Enhanced alpha-to-proton ratio is often regarded as one of the sensitive markers of the passage of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) at the L1 and hence considered crucial for space weather studies.

As researchers delve deeper into the collected data, the international scientific community eagerly awaits the wealth of knowledge that Aditya-L1's ASPEX is set to unveil about the enigmatic solar wind and its implications for our planet.

NASA To Send Nuclear-powered Rotorcraft on Saturn's Moon Titan in July 2028

American space agency NASA's Dragonfly – a mission to send a rotorcraft to explore Saturn’s moon Titan – has passed all the success criteria of its Preliminary Design Review. The Dragonfly team conducted a re-plan of the mission based on expected funding available in FY 2024 and estimate a revised launch readiness date of July 2028.

NASA’s only mission to the surface of another ocean world, Dragonfly is designed to investigate the complex chemistry that is the precursor to life. The rotorcraft vehicle will be built & operated by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland. The spacecraft will be equipped with cameras, sensors and samplers to examine areas of Titan known to contain organic materials that may have previously mixed with liquid water now frozen on the icy surface.

A rotorcraft is a kind of aircraft that rely on rotary blades. Rotary-wing aircraft have a unique advantage over fixed-wing aircraft, such as helicopters, as they use a primary rotor that creates lift. This means they can hover, allowing them to perform operations that require more precise control such as ground surveillance, assessment etc. among others.

Saturn's moon Titan is the second most largest moon in our solar system and stands out as the sole moon in the solar system, with a thick atmosphere. And, NASA's goal is to explore the surface of any icy moon that could potentially harbor ocean and Titan is perfect candidate for this.

 

Artist’s Impression: Dragonfly Descends View From the Surface of Titan as Dragonfly Descends Toward a Landing Spot. (Image Credit: Nasa/johns Hopkins Apl/steve Gribben) 

Dragonfly Field Demo - Flight Control and Navigation, May 2018. (Image Credit: Johns Hopkins APL)

NASA's rotercraft Dragonfly will weigh approximately 450 kg (990 lb) and be packaged inside a heat-shield of 3.7 m (12 ft) diameter. It would then use its vertical takeoffs and landings (VTOL) capability to move between exploration sites. It would then use its vertical takeoffs and landings (VTOL) capability to move between exploration sites.

Titan is similar to the very early Earth, and can provide clues to how life may have arisen on Earth and similar to our planet, Titan's atmosphere is also made of nitrogen, with a tiny component of methane, according to NASA. Titan also has a cycle similar to Earth's, in which liquids shower from clouds.

The Dragonfly dual-quadcopter will explore a variety of locations on Titan making multiple flights. In under an hour, Dragonfly will cover tens of miles or kilometers, farther than any planetary rover has traveled. With one hop per full Titan day (16 Earth days), the rotorcraft will travel from its initial landing site to cover areas several hundred kilometers away during the planned two-year mission. Despite its unique ability to fly, Dragonfly would spend most of its time on Titan's surface making science measurements.

Unable to use solar power due to Titan's hazy atmosphere, Dragonfly will be powered by a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG), which is also used by the Curiosity rover on Mars. MMRTG is a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) — a space nuclear power system that converts heat into electricity using no moving parts.

Flight, data transmission, and most science operations will be planned during Titan's daytime hours (eight Earth days), giving the rotorcraft plenty of time during the Titan night to recharge.

The Dragonfly rotorcraft would provide the capability to explore diverse locations to characterize the habitability of Titan's environment, investigate how far prebiotic chemistry has progressed, and search for biosignatures indicative of life based on water as solvent and even hypothetical types of biochemistry.

Image Credit: Artwork by Mike Yakovlev, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab