ISRO’s Extensive Roster of Missions Following Chandrayaan-3: What Lies Ahead?

ISRO, the Indian Space Research Organisation, has a multitude of upcoming missions even after the successful Chandrayaan-3. As Chandrayaan-3 nears its Moon landing, over a billion Indians eagerly anticipate and prepare for the touchdown. Scientists at ISRO anxiously await the fruition of their hard work.

Mission to Study the Sun

Among the upcoming missions is Aditya L1, the first Indian space-based mission to study the Sun.

It is expected to be launched by early September. ISRO plans to place the spacecraft in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, approximately 1.5 million km from Earth. This strategic orbit allows continuous observation of the Sun without any occultation or eclipses, providing real-time insights into solar activities and their impact on space weather.

NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar)

Additionally, ISRO is collaborating with NASA to develop an advanced Earth Observation Satellite called NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar). Set to launch next year, NISAR will meticulously track the movements of Earth’s land and ice surfaces, enabling a deeper understanding of climate change, deforestation, glacier melting, volcanic activities, and earthquakes. The satellite’s frequent monitoring will also contribute valuable data on forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands.

Gaganyaan: First Manned Space Flight Mission

ISRO’s ambitious plans also include India’s first manned space flight mission, known as the Gaganyaan project. Originally scheduled for 2020 but delayed due to the Covid pandemic, this mission aims to demonstrate India’s human spaceflight capabilities. The plan involves launching a crew of three members into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission before safely returning them to Earth by landing in the Indian sea waters. The manned flight will be preceded by two unmanned missions, with the first expected to take place in early 2022.

Polarimetry Mission to Study X-ray Sources

Furthermore, ISRO is working on the country’s first dedicated polarimetry mission, which will study the dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources under extreme conditions. Scheduled for launch later this year or early 2024, this mission aims to unravel the complex physical processes behind emission mechanisms from black holes, neutron stars, active galactic nuclei, and pulsar wind nebulae. Polarimetry measurements, which assess the degree and angle of polarization, will provide valuable insights into these astronomical sources. With an array of exciting missions on the horizon, ISRO continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and scientific discovery.

Also read: Unveiling the Technological Advancements of Chandrayaan 3