ISRO plans mission to Venus, eyes December 2024 launch window

After launching missions to the Moon and Mars, the ISRO is now preparing to launch a spacecraft into orbit above Venus to investigate what lurks beneath the surface of the solar system's hottest planet, as well as the mysteries that lay behind the Sulphuric Acid clouds that surround it. Dr. S Somnath, Chairman of ISRO, claimed the Venus mission has been conceptualised, a project report has been prepared, and money has been located during a day-long seminar on Venusian research.

The space agency is targeting a launch date in December 2024, with orbital manoeuvres scheduled for the following year, when the earth and Venus will be sufficiently aligned that the spacecraft may be placed in the orbit of the neighbouring planet with the least amount of propellant. In 2031, a comparable window will be available.

Investigating surface processes and shallow sub-surface stratigraphy, including active volcanic hotspots and lava flows, studying the structure, composition, and dynamics of the atmosphere, and investigating solar wind interaction with the Venusian Ionosphere are just a few of the experiments planned.

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