Shukrayaan-I: ISRO's Quest to Decode the Secrets of Venus!

India is set to embark on a groundbreaking space mission with the scheduled launch of Shukrayaan (शुक्रयान) in December 2024. This mission will mark the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) first attempt to explore Venus, often dubbed Earth's "twin" due to its similar size and composition. However, unlike Earth, Venus is a planet shrouded in mystery with an extremely harsh environment. Shukrayaan promises to shed light on these mysteries, contributing valuable data to the global scientific community.

The Purpose of Shukrayaan: Why Venus?

Venus has always been a planet of interest to scientists. Despite its similarities to Earth, it has evolved into a world very different from ours. With surface temperatures above 450 degrees Celsius (842 degrees Fahrenheit) and an atmosphere thick with carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds, Venus presents an extreme environment that challenges our understanding of planetary science.

Shukrayaan aims to answer several key questions about Venus, such as:

• What is the geological history of Venus?

• How do the planet's atmospheric dynamics work, particularly the phenomenon of superrotation?

• Could Venus have ever supported life?

• What lessons can Venus teach us about climate change and the future of Earth?

Mission Overview: What Will Shukrayaan Do?

Shukrayaan will be an orbiter mission, meaning the spacecraft will orbit Venus rather than land on it. This will enable comprehensive, long-term observations of the planet's surface, atmosphere, and ionosphere. The mission will carry a set of scientific instruments designed to penetrate Venus' dense clouds, study its atmosphere, and map its surface.

• Surface mapping with synthetic aperture radar (SAR): Shukrayaan will carry a powerful synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to map Venus' surface. SAR is able to penetrate the dense clouds that cover the planet, providing detailed images of its surface. This will help scientists study Venus' geological features, such as mountains, valleys, and possible volcanic activity. By understanding these features, we can gain information about the planet's geological history and its similarities or differences with Earth.

• Atmospheric studies: Venus' atmosphere is one of the most extreme atmospheres in the solar system. Shukrayaan will study this atmosphere in detail, focusing on the super-rotation phenomenon, where the atmosphere rotates much faster than the planet itself. This study will help scientists understand the dynamics of Venus' atmosphere and its interaction with solar radiation. Additionally, Shukrayaan will investigate the greenhouse effect that makes Venus the hottest planet in the solar system, even hotter than Mercury, which is closer to the Sun.

• Ionospheric analysis: The mission will also explore Venus' ionosphere, the region of the atmosphere that is ionized by solar and cosmic radiation. This analysis will provide information about how the solar wind interacts with Venus' atmosphere, which affects its climate and potentially its habitability.

• Search for water and other volatiles: One of the interesting aspects of Venus is the possibility of water or water-related compounds in its atmosphere. Shukrayaan will search for these volatile substances, which could provide clues about the planet's past and whether the planet once had conditions suitable for life.

International Collaboration: A Global Effort!

Shukrayaan is not just an Indian mission; it is a global effort. ISRO is working with space agencies of other countries to incorporate international instruments on the orbiter. This collaboration will enhance the scientific output of the mission, allowing a more comprehensive study of Venus.

Launch and Mission Timeline

The Shukrayaan mission is scheduled to launch in December 2024. After launch, the spacecraft will take several months to reach Venus. Upon arrival, it will perform an orbital insertion maneuver to enter Venus's orbit. The mission is expected to last several years, during which it will continuously study Venus and send valuable data back to Earth.

The Significance of Shukrayaan

Shukrayaan is a milestone in India's space exploration history. It is ISRO's first mission to Venus and underlines India's growing capabilities in space science. But more importantly, Shukrayaan will contribute to global understanding about Venus, one of the most mysterious planets in our solar system.

Venus is often seen as a warning, a planet that may have started out like Earth but took a very different path due to uncontrollable greenhouse effects. By studying Venus, we can learn more about our planet's future and the impact of climate change. Shukrayaan, with its advanced instruments and international collaboration, promises to bring us one step closer to answering these important questions.

The mission might now be postponed to 2031?!

The Shukrayaan-I mission, ISRO's ambitious project to study Venus, is currently facing some delays. Initially planned to launch in December 2024, the mission may now be postponed to 2031. The delay has been caused by several factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected ISRO's manufacturing timelines and other commercial launch commitments.

Shukrayaan-I is an orbiter mission equipped with scientific payloads such as high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and ground-penetrating radar. These instruments are designed to study Venus' geological and volcanic activity, atmospheric dynamics, and surface processes. The mission will provide crucial information about how Earth-like planets evolve and what conditions exist on exoplanets.

One reason for the potential delay to 2031 is the optimal launch window, which occurs once every eight years. This window is crucial for minimising the amount of fuel required for liftoff, making it a more efficient and effective mission. ISRO also needs formal approval and funding for the assembly and testing of the spacecraft.

Currently, ISRO is focusing on other projects, including the Aditya-L1 mission to study the Sun and the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts to space. These projects, along with Chandrayaan-3, are part of ISRO's broader space exploration agenda.

The world is watching eagerly as Shukrayaan is set to embark on its journey to Venus. This mission is not just about exploring another planet; it is about pushing the boundaries of our knowledge about our solar system. It is about collaboration, innovation and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. With Shukrayaan, ISRO is set to make significant contributions to planetary science, enhancing our understanding of Venus and, by extension, Earth.

Support Us by buying coffee.🙏