The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , has given the green light to India's Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), marking a significant advancement in the nation's space ambitions. The mission is set to deepen India's space exploration , extending its reach beyond the Moon and Mars, focusing on the planet Venus .
The mission, expected to launch in March 2028, will help unravel the "Venusian atmosphere, geology and generate large amounts of science data probing into its thick atmosphere", according to a Cabinet communique.
An official statement highlighted Venus' importance as Earth's closest planetary neighbor, which may have formed under similar conditions. "Venus offers a unique opportunity to understand how planetary environments can evolve very differently," the release noted.
The mission, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation ( Isro ), aims to place a scientific spacecraft in orbit around Venus. This mission will study the Venusian surface, atmosphere, and subsurface, as well as the Sun's impact on Venus' atmosphere. Scientists are particularly interested in understanding why Venus, once thought to be habitable and similar to Earth, underwent such a drastic transformation.
ISRO will oversee the development and launch of the spacecraft, employing its established project management practices. The data collected will be shared with the global scientific community. The mission is slated for launch in March 2028 and is expected to provide answers to pressing scientific questions about Venus.
The Venus Orbiter Mission has a budget of Rs 1,236 crore, with Rs 824 crore allocated for spacecraft development, payloads, and the launch vehicle. "The cost includes development and realisation 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 the launch vehicle,” the Cabinet said.
"The mission would enable India for future planetary missions with larger payloads and optimal orbit insertion approaches," the release added.
Indian industries and academic institutions will play key roles in the spacecraft and launch vehicle development, offering employment opportunities and technological advancements across various sectors.
The mission would also enable India for future planetary missions with larger payloads, and optimal orbit insertion approaches.
Chandrayaan-4 expansion approved
The Union Cabinet has also approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission, marking a significant leap in India’s space exploration efforts. The mission aims to develop and demonstrate the technologies required for a safe landing on the Moon, the collection of lunar samples, and their return to Earth.
Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing reporters in New Delhi, saying, "Chandrayaan-4 mission has been expanded to add more elements. The next step is to get the manned mission to the Moon. All preparatory steps towards this have been approved."
The government has allocated Rs 2,104 crore for the mission, with a timeline of 36 months for completion. Chandrayaan-4 will demonstrate key technologies essential for India’s future moon landing (planned for 2040), including docking, undocking, lunar sample collection, and safe return to Earth.
The Chandrayaan-4 mission follows the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3, which positioned India as one of the few nations capable of landing on the Moon. Chandrayaan-4 will build on this achievement by bringing back lunar samples for analysis on Earth.
ISRO will oversee the development of the spacecraft and the launch, with the mission expected to be completed within 36 months. Indian industries and academic institutions will play crucial roles, ensuring that critical technologies are developed indigenously. The mission also promises significant job creation and technology advancements for various sectors.
Chandrayaan-4 will mark a critical step towards India's self-reliance in foundational technologies for manned lunar missions and lunar sample return, positioning the country as a major player in global space exploration.
Indian Space Station by 2035
Chandrayaan-4 mission is part of a broader vision for India’s space program, which includes the establishment of a Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station) by 2035. In addition, plans are underway for follow-up Gaganyaan and Venus Orbiter missions, with an emphasis on developing advanced space transportation and infrastructure.
The mission, expected to launch in March 2028, will help unravel the "Venusian atmosphere, geology and generate large amounts of science data probing into its thick atmosphere", according to a Cabinet communique.
An official statement highlighted Venus' importance as Earth's closest planetary neighbor, which may have formed under similar conditions. "Venus offers a unique opportunity to understand how planetary environments can evolve very differently," the release noted.
The mission, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation ( Isro ), aims to place a scientific spacecraft in orbit around Venus. This mission will study the Venusian surface, atmosphere, and subsurface, as well as the Sun's impact on Venus' atmosphere. Scientists are particularly interested in understanding why Venus, once thought to be habitable and similar to Earth, underwent such a drastic transformation.
➣ Cabinet approves #Gaganyaan Follow-on Missions and building of Bharatiya Antariksh Station: Gaganyaan – Indian Human Spaceflight Programme revised to include building of first unit of BAS and related missions
— PIB India (@PIB_India) September 18, 2024
With a net additional funding of ₹ 11,170 Crore in the already… pic.twitter.com/wWuV575UMb
ISRO will oversee the development and launch of the spacecraft, employing its established project management practices. The data collected will be shared with the global scientific community. The mission is slated for launch in March 2028 and is expected to provide answers to pressing scientific questions about Venus.
The Venus Orbiter Mission has a budget of Rs 1,236 crore, with Rs 824 crore allocated for spacecraft development, payloads, and the launch vehicle. "The cost includes development and realisation 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 the launch vehicle,” the Cabinet said.
"The mission would enable India for future planetary missions with larger payloads and optimal orbit insertion approaches," the release added.
Indian industries and academic institutions will play key roles in the spacecraft and launch vehicle development, offering employment opportunities and technological advancements across various sectors.
The mission would also enable India for future planetary missions with larger payloads, and optimal orbit insertion approaches.
Chandrayaan-4 expansion approved
The Union Cabinet has also approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission, marking a significant leap in India’s space exploration efforts. The mission aims to develop and demonstrate the technologies required for a safe landing on the Moon, the collection of lunar samples, and their return to Earth.
Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing reporters in New Delhi, saying, "Chandrayaan-4 mission has been expanded to add more elements. The next step is to get the manned mission to the Moon. All preparatory steps towards this have been approved."
The government has allocated Rs 2,104 crore for the mission, with a timeline of 36 months for completion. Chandrayaan-4 will demonstrate key technologies essential for India’s future moon landing (planned for 2040), including docking, undocking, lunar sample collection, and safe return to Earth.
The Chandrayaan-4 mission follows the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3, which positioned India as one of the few nations capable of landing on the Moon. Chandrayaan-4 will build on this achievement by bringing back lunar samples for analysis on Earth.
ISRO will oversee the development of the spacecraft and the launch, with the mission expected to be completed within 36 months. Indian industries and academic institutions will play crucial roles, ensuring that critical technologies are developed indigenously. The mission also promises significant job creation and technology advancements for various sectors.
Chandrayaan-4 will mark a critical step towards India's self-reliance in foundational technologies for manned lunar missions and lunar sample return, positioning the country as a major player in global space exploration.
Indian Space Station by 2035
Chandrayaan-4 mission is part of a broader vision for India’s space program, which includes the establishment of a Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station) by 2035. In addition, plans are underway for follow-up Gaganyaan and Venus Orbiter missions, with an emphasis on developing advanced space transportation and infrastructure.
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