Space exploration and its vast potential have always intrigued humanity. As we probe deeper into the cosmos, 2024 proves to be a promising year with several space missions lined up by different countries. This article discusses the major space missions scheduled for 2024, their objectives, and the role of Indian space missions in accelerating advancements in science and technology.
NASA’s Missions in 2024: Venturing the Extraterrestrial and Beyond
NASA’s primary focus in 2024 is moon exploration, under its Artemis plan and Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative.
The Europa Clipper mission aims at exploring Jupiter’s moon, Europa. Beneath its icy shell, it is believed to contain a saltwater ocean, potentially habitable for extraterrestrial life.
The Artemis II mission, a crewed lunar voyage, is set to mark humanity’s return to the moon since 1972. It focuses on building sustainable systems for a long-term lunar presence, paving the way for future missions to Mars.
Under NASA’s umbrella, the VIPER project also intends to explore the moon’s south pole. With the aid of heat pipes, batteries, and radiators, it will navigate through extreme lunar temperatures, searching for materials that could aid future human exploration.
Smaller, Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration: An Endeavor to Save Costs
NASA invests in small, low-cost ventures like SIMPLEx (Small, Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration), mainly as secondary payloads. One such initiative is the Lunar Trailblazer. Similar to VIPER, it will search for water across the lunar surface while orbiting the moon. Its launch timing depends on the primary payload’s readiness.
JAXA’s Martian Moon eXploration Mission: Unraveling the Mystery of Mars
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency plans to study Mars’ moons – Phobos and Deimos, using its Martian Moon eXploration mission (MMX). The objective is to understand the origin of these moons. This spacecraft will not only observe these moons but also land on Phobos’ surface, collecting samples.
ESA’s Hera Mission: A Dynamic Approach Towards Asteroid System
The European Space Agency aims to return to the Didymos-Dimorphos asteroid system. The Hera Mission in 2024 will investigate the physical properties of asteroids, offering potential solutions to redirect hazardous objects on a collision course with Earth.
Indian Space Missions in 2024: Advancing into the Future
PSLV-C58 with XPoSat, India’s first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite, will explore intense X-ray sources in the universe.
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is another ambitious project that focuses on remote sensing, offering insights into various Earth phenomena.
Gaganyaan 1, India’s Human Spaceflight Programme, aims at developing technology for manned space exploration.
India is also planning the launch of Mangalyaan-2 (MOM 2), equipped with advanced scientific instruments, targeting the study of Mars’ surface, atmosphere, and climatic conditions.
Under the Venus Orbiter Mission, ISRO intends to launch Shukrayaan-1. This spacecraft aims to conduct in-depth studies on Venus’ atmosphere.
Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology
India has proved its mettle in the field of space science and technology. Multiple successful missions, including Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, have placed India in the league of space-faring nations. Besides, ISRO’s Bhuvan, a geoportal with 3D imaging capabilities of India, has been instrumental in aiding several sectors like agriculture, forestry, disaster management, and urban planning.