New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to embark on a groundbreaking mission to Venus with its Shukrayaan mission, which will carry a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payload. This mission aims to map the surface of Venus, providing unprecedented insights into the planet’s hidden features.
The SAR instrument is designed to penetrate the thick atmosphere of Venus, which has long obscured its surface from detailed study. This advanced radar technology will measure even the slightest changes and deformations on the Venusian surface, offering a high-resolution map that could reveal significant geological and atmospheric phenomena.
The Shukrayaan mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in November, represents a major step forward in India’s planetary exploration efforts. The mission’s primary objectives include studying the dense atmosphere of Venus and its surface topography. To achieve these goals, ISRO plans to use the atmosphere of Venus itself to slow down the spacecraft, a technique known as aerobraking, which will allow the orbiter to achieve a lower orbit without expending excessive fuel.
ISRO scientist Nigar Shaji highlighted the mission’s significance during a recent lecture, noting that the SAR payload will enable mapping of the surface and subsurface of Venus with up to 40 cm resolution. This mission follows in the footsteps of NASA’s Magellan spacecraft, which conducted similar mapping of Venus in the early 1990s.
The data gathered by Shukrayaan is expected to provide valuable insights into the atmospheric chemistry of Venus, the interaction between solar radiation and the planet’s atmosphere, and the geological history of Earth’s “sister planet.” These findings could also aid in the study of distant terrestrial exoplanets and the search for extraterrestrial life.
The Shukrayaan mission is part of ISRO’s broader planetary exploration program, which includes missions to the Moon and Mars. By leveraging advanced technologies and international collaborations, ISRO continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and contribute to the global scientific community’s understanding of our solar system.