ISRO’s Shukrayaan-1 Mission to Venus Set for 2028: Key Details on India’s First Venusian Exploration

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for a historic mission—its first to Venus. Set for launch in March 2028, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), named Shukrayaan-1, will place India among the few countries exploring the mysteries of Earth’s closest planetary neighbour. Often referred to as Earth's "twin" due to its similar size and composition, Venus presents numerous enigmas that Shukrayaan-1 will attempt to unravel.

Journey to Venus

The spacecraft, powered by ISRO's LVM-3 rocket, will depart Earth on March 29, 2028, embarking on a 112-day journey to reach Venus on July 19, 2028. The mission aims to investigate key aspects of the planet, including its thick carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, potential volcanic activity, and geological features.

Key Scientific Instruments

Shukrayaan-1 will carry state-of-the-art instruments designed to provide unprecedented insights into Venus. These include:

• Synthetic Aperture Radar for mapping surface features
• Infrared and Ultraviolet cameras to study atmospheric composition and cloud structure
• Plasma sensors to analyze interactions between the Sun’s charged particles and Venus' atmosphere
• The Venusian Neutrals Analyzer (VNA), a collaborative effort with Sweden, to explore the planet's ionosphere

These instruments will help scientists gain a deeper understanding of Venus' surface, atmosphere, and volcanic activity, shedding light on one of the most mysterious planets in our solar system.

Collaborative Effort

The mission is not solely an Indian endeavour. It involves international collaboration with Russia, France, Germany, and Sweden contributing to various scientific instruments. This underscores the mission’s importance in global efforts to study Venus and expands India’s partnerships in space exploration.

ISRO's Growing Ambitions in Space Exploration

With an allocated budget of ₹1,236 crore ($150 million), Shukrayaan-1 reflects India's growing ambitions in space exploration. Following the success of missions to Mars and the Moon, ISRO is now venturing deeper into the solar system with Shukrayaan-1. If successful, this mission will further establish India as a major player in interplanetary exploration, adding to the global understanding of our sister planet.

Mission Objectives

The primary scientific goals of the Shukrayaan-1 mission include:

• Studying Venus' atmospheric composition and cloud structure
• Mapping the planet’s surface and identifying any active volcanism
• Analyzing water vapor and plasma interactions in the atmosphere

These objectives are vital to understanding Venus' history, geological evolution, and potential similarities to Earth.

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As ISRO gears up for the Shukrayaan-1 mission, the world is watching India's ambitious foray into Venus exploration. This mission not only represents a significant leap in India’s space exploration capabilities but also contributes to the global understanding of Venus' complex atmosphere and geological history. With international collaboration and cutting-edge technology, ISRO’s Shukrayaan-1 is poised to unlock many of the secrets that surround Earth's mysterious twin.

[Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only. Please refer to official ISRO updates for detailed mission specifications.]