The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has drafted a plan for seven significant missions to be undertaken over the next decade. Among these, two have been clearly outlined, namely XPoSat and Aditya-L1 while the other four are in the planning stages. These include Mangalyaan-2, Venus mission, Lunar Polar Exploration, and Exoworlds.
Defining the Seven Mega Missions
XPoSat and Aditya-L1 are the first two missions that have been defined. The former is set to launch in 2020 with the aim of studying cosmic radiation. The latter, meant for a 2021 launch, is destined for Sun exploration. Interestingly, Aditya-L1 will play a pivotal role in enhancing our understanding and predicting climate change on Earth, as its payloads will study the Sun’s corona which influences the upper atmosphere impacting Earth’s climate change.
The other missions, still in their planning phase, include Mangalyaan-2, the second Mars Orbiter Mission scheduled for 2022; Venus Mission set for 2023; Lunar Polar Exploration or Chandrayaan-3 planned for 2024; and an ambitious exploration outside the solar system named Exoworlds, slated for a 2028 launch.
A Closer Look at XPoSat and Aditya-L1
XPoSat, the cosmic radiation exploring mission, has a planned lifecycle of around five years. Its payload includes a polarimeter instrument developed by Raman Research Institute. This critical tool will measure cosmic radiation once the spacecraft is positioned in a circular orbit between 500 and 700km.
On the other hand, the Aditya-L1 mission is heading to the Sun. The spacecraft is set to take a position in a ‘libration orbit’, about 1.5 million km from Earth. This strategic location is approximately 1% of the distance between Earth and Sun, where the gravitational forces of both celestial bodies are equal. This placement allows the spacecraft to orbit with Earth, thus constantly facing the Sun, enabling continuous study.
Mission Overview Table
| Mission | Launch Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| XPoSat | 2020 | Study of Cosmic Radiation |
| Aditya-L1 | 2021 | Sun Exploration |
| Mars Orbiter Mission-2 | 2022 | Mars Exploration |
| Venus Mission | 2023 | Venus Exploration |
| Lunar Polar Exploration | 2024 | Moon Exploration |
| Exoworlds | 2028 | Exploration outside the Solar System |
Undefined Missions Reflect Ambition
ISRO’s ambitious plan for the upcoming decade showcases its dedication towards space exploration and scientific discovery. While the exact details of the undefined missions such as Mangalyaan-2, Venus mission, Lunar Polar Exploration, and Exoworlds are yet to be released, the objective remains clear – widening our understanding of the universe.
