TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: In a recent interview with Times Now, S Somanath, the chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), laid out an ambitious roadmap for India’s future in space exploration.
EXPLANATION:
- Following the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, the chief of ISRO highlighted India’s growing prominence in the global space community and outlined a bold vision that includes sending astronauts to the Moon by 2040.
- This monumental task will build upon India’s existing accomplishments and collaborations with other leading space agencies around the world.
Celebrating Chandrayaan-3’s Success
- On August 23, 2023, India achieved a historic milestone by landing the Vikram Lander from Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s southern side, an area of significant scientific interest.
- This achievement not only filled every Indian with pride as the national flag was placed on the dark side of the Moon, but it also demonstrated India’s capability to conduct complex space missions using indigenous technology.
- Chief of ISRO emphasized that this mission is just the beginning of a series of planned lunar explorations, serving as a major confidence booster for young scientists, students, and researchers across the nation.
Future Lunar Missions: Chandrayaan-4 and Beyond
- ISRO’s Chief outlined ISRO’s ambitious plans for the future of lunar exploration.
- The next mission, Chandrayaan-4, will focus on more advanced objectives, including the collection of lunar samples and the return of a spacecraft to Earth.
- This mission aims to deepen our understanding of the Moon’s geology and could potentially pave the way for future human exploration.
- The ultimate goal is to send astronauts to the Moon by 2040, an objective that reflects India’s long-term vision for space exploration.
The Gaganyaan Mission
- Central to ISRO’s plan for human space exploration is the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to master human spaceflight technology.
- The crew module for Gaganyaan is nearing completion, and the first flight will feature Vyomitra, a humanoid robot designed to simulate human presence and gather crucial environmental data.
- Vyomitra’s mission will play a critical role in preparing for future manned missions, providing essential information that will help ensure the safety and success of human astronauts.
- The successful implementation of Gaganyaan will serve as a stepping stone towards the broader goal of lunar exploration.
- Developing higher-capacity rockets and building a space station are essential steps to support long-duration missions, ultimately enabling India to achieve its goal of sending humans to the Moon.
Scientific Discoveries and Technological Advancements
- ISRO’s lunar missions are not just about exploration; they also aim to contribute to our scientific understanding of the Moon.
- Recent studies suggest that the Moon, now a cooled-down body with a solid surface, may have once experienced molten activity.
- Materials on the lunar surface might have been ejected from volcanic processes before cooling over time.
- These findings could provide new insights into the Moon’s geological history and the evolution of other celestial bodies.
Collaborations
- India’s role in the global space community is expanding, as evidenced by its collaborations with space agencies from the US, Japan, Russia, and other countries.
- These partnerships reflect India’s growing respect and recognition in the field of space technology.
- India’s involvement in the International Space Station (ISS) signifies its expanding influence and technological capabilities.
- The selection of Indian Air Force pilots for the Gaganyaan mission, based on their suitability, highlights the rigorous approach ISRO is taking to ensure mission success.
- These pilots will bring back valuable knowledge from their experience on the ISS, further enhancing India’s human spaceflight capabilities.
- Additionally, India is developing its own astronaut training facilities, incorporating expertise from Russian and American space programs.
Vyommitra
- Vyommitra is a female humanoid robot designed for space travel.
- It was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to function aboard the spacecraft Gaganyaan, a crewed orbital spacecraft.
- The uncrewed “Vyommitra” Mission is scheduled for the third quarter of the year 2024.
- “Vyommitra” is a name derived from two Sanskrit words namely, “Vyoma” (meaning Space) and “Mitra” (meaning Friend).
- This Female Robot Astronaut is equipped with the capability to monitor Module Parameters, issue Alerts and execute Life Support operations.
- It can perform tasks such as operating six panels and responding to the queries.