After the successful lunar mission, Chandrayaan 3, Indian space agency ISRO is preparing for launching couple of space exploration missions in coming months.
Following a humble beginning, India's space program is evolving fast into a self-reliant and vibrant ecosystem involving cutting-edge research as well as technological advancements, and international collaboration. The journey started under the visionary guidance of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai in 1962. India has cemented it's position in space technology by back to back roaring success in space mission in the form of Chandrayaan 3 and Aditya L1 mission. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also collaborating with multiple global space agencies for betterment of space science. In this article we will discuss about upcoming missions of ISRO and how international collaborations can be help overall growth of India's space research.
ISRO on International Collaborations:
Regarding these collaborations, ISRO mentioned on its official website: “ISRO is pursuing international cooperation with space agencies and space related bodies with the objectives of enhancing the capacity of Indian space program, strengthening diplomatic relations and formulating global guidelines on space.”
For a long time, ISRO has been a member to numerous international organisation for space matters like IAF, APRSAF, CEOS, COSPAR, IADC, ICG, CGMS and ISECG.
INSAT 3DS
The INSAT 3DS is an integral part of the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) series developed by ISRO. As per recent reports, INSAT 3DS will be launched in January 2024 tentatively. The aim of this satellite is to monitor weather system, and crucial meteorological updates.
Gaganyaan 1:
Gaganyaan's first mission is currently under preparation by ISRO and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which is going to take off in early 2024. This will be a test flight to arrange India's manned space mission.
NISAR:
NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar. This is a joint venture between NASA and ISRO, currently under preparation to be launched in January 2024.
Regarding this venture, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said: “In the first quarter of 2024, in a joint venture, India will launch a very expensive spacecraft, NISAR, and it is part of what we call our great observatories. And the combination of these four or five observatories that will be put up, and all our 25 spacecraft looking at the Earth...the combination of all that information...is helping us precisely determine what is happening to the Earth and its climate.”
NISAR will help understanding the changes in Earth’s ecosystems, vegetation biomass, ice mass, ground water, sea level rise, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanoes.
X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat):
The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite will be launched into the orbit to study the polarisation of cosmic x-rays. The expected time for this launch is early 2024. This satellite, planned to operate for upcoming 5 years, will be used to collect data about pulsars, non-thermal supernova remnants, black hole x ray binaries, and active galactic nuclei.
Venus Orbiter Mission:
ISRO is planning to launch a spacecraft to orbit of Venus via Venus Orbiter Mission. As per recent developments, this will be launched in 2025. This mission will help our understanding about alternative habitable areas on the space.
Hint for future collaborations:
During his recent visit to India, Nelson said: “NASA will help train the Indian astronaut to fly to ISS by end of 2024. Those details are being worked out. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will announce that,” Nelson said.
He called India “a great future partner for astronauts in space.”
“I had a discussion with the minister on what the Indian astronaut would do on the space station. And the two of us talked about the fact that things that are important to India in scientific research, the Indian astronaut ought to have that as a choice to do. If there is a particular part of research that he or she would be interested in, then I want to encourage that,” Nelson said during a media interaction.
In only sixty years, India has climbed up as a global frontrunner in advanced space technology. By implementing the collective knowledge and experience, ISRO aims to motivate the future generations of space enthusiasts.
