The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is embarking on an array of exploration missions, including journeys to Mars, Venus, and a return to the Moon, Chairman S Somanath recently revealed. He said that these missions represent a part of ISRO’s ambitious space exploration efforts.
Apart from this, ISRO remains committed to regular scientific missions, including the deployment of communication and remote sensing satellites. These missions serve various purposes in the fields of communication and scientific research.
ISRO’s Climate and Weather Study Missions
In addition to exploration endeavors, ISRO is taking steps to launch missions dedicated to the study of Earth’s climate and weather patterns. These missions will contribute to a deeper understanding of the planet’s environmental conditions.
Gaganyaan Programme Progress
Chairman S Somanath also shared an update on the Gaganyaan programme, India’s maiden human spaceflight mission. The TV-D1 test flight for the Gaganyaan programme is scheduled for October 21, marking a significant milestone in India’s human space exploration journey.
Vikram, the lander of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, made a successful soft landing on the Moon on August 23. Somanath commended Vikram for its exceptional performance during its lunar mission. He explained that Vikram had fulfilled its intended functions during the lunar day and is currently in a dormant state on the Moon’s surface.
Status of Aditya-L1 Mission
ISRO’s maiden mission to study the Sun, known as Aditya-L1, is progressing smoothly. The spacecraft is on a 110-day journey to the Lagrange point L1, with an expected arrival by the middle of January. The mission aims to observe and study the Sun from a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L1).
Somanath also paid his respects to the late agricultural scientist, M S Swaminathan, who was a driving force behind India’s ‘Green Revolution.’ He expressed appreciation for Swaminathan’s contributions and highlighted the significance of collaboration across various fields, including space, agriculture, and sustainability, in advancing science and technology in India.
(With Agency Inputs)