Venus, often considered Earth’s twin sister, has fascinated scientists for decades due to its peculiar atmosphere and extreme conditions. Several space agencies have ventured into the enigmatic realm of Venus to uncover its secrets, shedding light on the evolution of rocky planets.
Among these explorations, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has embarked on a groundbreaking mission called the Venus Orbiter Mission, or Shukrayaan, scheduled for launch in December 2024.
This mission holds immense significance for ISRO, promising to advance our knowledge of Venus through innovative technology and ambitious scientific goals.
ISRO’s Venus Orbiter Mission:
- Launch Date: December 2024
- Mission Objective: Study Venus’s surface and atmosphere
- Duration: Four years
- Spacecraft Weight: Approx. 2,500 kg at launch
- Science Payload: Approximately 100 kg
Building on Previous Successes
Inspired by the triumphs of past missions like Chandrayaan and the Mars Orbiter Mission, ISRO initiated preliminary studies for interplanetary exploration.
In 2017, an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) was issued to solicit science payload proposals from Indian academia and the global scientific community.
Collaborations with institutions from countries such as France, Russia, Sweden, and Germany have been explored.
Scientific Objectives of Shukrayaan
The Venus Orbiter Mission aims to address several key research areas, including:
- Surface and Subsurface Stratigraphy: Investigating Venus’s surface and subsurface to decipher its geological history and resurfacing processes.
- Atmospheric Composition: Studying the composition, dynamics, and chemistry of Venus’s thick atmosphere, including phenomena like the greenhouse effect.
- Ionosphere Interaction: Examining how Venus’s ionosphere interacts with solar irradiance and solar wind, contributing to our understanding of planetary atmospheres.
Understanding Venus’s Extremes
Venus, though similar in size and mass to Earth, holds the titles of the hottest and most volcanically active planet in our solar system.
Its thick atmosphere, rich in carbon dioxide and sulphuric acid clouds, creates a runaway greenhouse effect, resulting in scorching temperatures that can melt lead.
The atmosphere on Venus is about 90 times denser than Earth’s, exerting immense pressure akin to being 1 km underwater on our planet.
Venus’s Peculiar Characteristics
Venus has no moons and rotates slowly in the opposite direction of most planets.
A day on Venus lasts 243 Earth days, longer than its 225 Earth-day year.
Venus experiences an extraordinary “day-night cycle,” with each cycle spanning 117 Earth days.
Science Payload
ISRO’s Venus Orbiter Mission carries a diverse science payload, including instruments from India and international collaborators.
Key Indian instruments include Venus L & S-Band SAR, VARTISS (HF radar), VSEAM (Surface Emissivity), and LIVE (Lightning Sensor). International contributions encompass terahertz devices from NASA and two Russian payloads for atmospheric studies.
Potential for Life on Venus
Some scientists speculate that Venus’s upper atmosphere may harbor signs of life, where certain microbes could endure its harsh conditions.
The presence of phosphine, a gas associated with biological processes, in Venus’s clouds has sparked debate and further investigation.
A Legacy of Venus Exploration
Various space agencies have delved into Venus exploration, including:
- Soviet Union (Venera Program): Conducted missions in the 1960s and 1970s, with Venera 7 being the first spacecraft to successfully land on Venus.
- NASA’s Magellan spacecraft (1989): Mapped Venus’s surface using radar, providing valuable topographic data.
- ESA’s Venus Express (2005): Studied Venus’s atmosphere and climate, contributing to our understanding of its weather patterns and cloud formations.
- JAXA’s Akatsuki mission (2010): Focused on Venus’s atmosphere and climate, successfully entering Venus’s orbit in 2015.
Conclusion
ISRO’s Venus Orbiter Mission symbolizes India’s ambitious venture into planetary exploration and scientific research.
Collaborative efforts with international counterparts enhance our comprehension of Venus, Earth-like planets, and the broader universe.
These endeavors deepen our understanding of this enigmatic planet and its significance in planetary science.
