ISRO Announces Launch Date for Venus Orbiter Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the launch date for its ambitious Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), scheduled for March 29, 2028. This mission aims to study Venus’s atmosphere, surface, and geological features.
The spacecraft will embark on a 112-day journey to Earth’s mysterious twin, with the objective of reaching Venus by July 19, 2028. The mission will utilize ISRO’s powerful LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3) rocket to propel the spacecraft.
VOM will be equipped with a suite of advanced scientific instruments, including synthetic aperture radar, infrared and ultraviolet cameras, and sensors to study Venus’s ionosphere. The mission’s primary objectives include investigating the planet’s atmospheric composition, surface characteristics, and potential volcanic or seismic activity.
Instruments being sent to Venus include:
- VSAR (Venus S-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar): Designed to search for active volcanism and map Venus in high resolution.
- VSEAM (Venus Surface Emissivity and Atmospheric Mapper): This hyperspectral spectrometer will focus on volcanic hotspots, cloud structure, and water vapor mapping.
- VTC (Venus Thermal Camera): It will map thermal emissions from Venusian clouds.
- VCMC (Venus Cloud Monitoring Camera): This UV and visible wavelength camera will analyze atmospheric circulation dynamics.
- LIVE (Lightning Instrument for Venus): LIVE will detect electrical activity in Venus’s atmosphere.
- VASP (Venus Atmospheric Spectropolarimeter): This instrument will investigate cloud properties and global circulation.
The Venus Orbiter Mission has a budget of ₹1,236 crore (approximately $150 million), reflecting India’s commitment to advancing its space exploration capabilities.
