Beyond Our Gravitational Pull
India’s Upcoming Space Odyssey, unlocking the cosmos one mission at a time.
The realm of space exploration has always sparked a curiosity, from the days of stargazing to the discoveries of telescopes and beyond, leading to various innovations in space observation through numerous techniques. This has offered the opportunity to explore space and celestial objects free from the interference of the Earth’s atmosphere, dust, aerosols, and clouds. Today, India is at the forefront of this cosmic journey, with a series of phenomenal space missions on the horizon.
However, we can’t neglect the fact that venturing into space is a formidable challenge, requiring the ability to overcome Earth’s gravitational pull and a countless number of sophisticated technologies. This is just the beginning of the story. To sustain space-based observations, we require stable orbits, ground stations for data communication between space and Earth, and the ability to send commands to space. The rapid pace of technological advancement in this field is a testament to the unfaltering curiosity of scientists, pushing for innovative ways to explore the vastness beyond our planet. This drives the study of various aspects of space science and technology, leading to new frontiers of understanding.
Our solar system resides within the Orion Arm, a spiral arm of the Milky Way, approximately 28,000 light-years away from the Galactic center. This location is a relatively calmer area as opposed to the Galactic core.
Our perspective within the Milky Way allows us to understand the majestic band of the galaxy stretching across the night sky, but to fully comprehend its structure and shape remains a challenge. Thanks to meticulous studies involving observations from telescopes and space missions, scientists have gradually pieced together a more comprehensive understanding of the Milky Way’s structure and dynamic characteristics and are still continuing to do so.
Moving onto some of the space research and exploration that comprise a diverse array of techniques that enable scientists to study the vast expanse beyond our planet, these techniques include theoretical modeling, computer simulations, laboratory experiments, ground-based observations, space-based observations, and the emerging domain of Big Data Analytics.
The bedrock of this pursuit is theoretical modeling, which serves as a foundational tool, providing mathematical frameworks and models to describe various physical phenomena.
Computer simulations, on the other hand, allow scientists to recreate complex space environments in a virtual setting, enabling the study of events such as galaxy formation, star evolution, and the dynamics of celestial objects.
Laboratory simulation is a powerful technique involving controlled experiments on Earth to replicate specific space conditions. This involves sophisticated equipment capable of mimicking extreme temperatures, vacuum, and radiation encountered in different parts of the universe.
Ground-based observations utilize telescopes, radio antennas, and other instruments on Earth to observe and study celestial objects, collecting data across the electromagnetic spectrum. This approach provides insights into planetary movements, star formation, black holes, and other astronomical phenomena.
Space-based observation transcends Earth’s atmosphere, granting unobstructed views of the universe across different wavelengths. They provide unique vantage points strategically advantageous locations for observing celestial objects and processes, which are often inaccessible from Earth’s surface. Space telescopes are particularly valuable in this regard, allowing detailed examinations of distant galaxies, exoplanets, and various celestial processes without the distortion caused by atmospheric interference.
Every successful space mission follows a similar path involving crucial steps. It’s important to understand that a single mission cannot provide the ultimate answer to a fundamental question. Instead, the collective effort of numerous scientists and engineers planning multiple space missions contributes diverse perspectives to address semi-fundamental questions. Arriving at a comprehensive answer to a fundamental question requires synthesizing information from various sources, including space missions, ground observations, simulations, and modeling. A holistic and philosophical view is essential for anyone seeking to be a space scientist. At the same time, ISRO is actively promoting inclusivity by focusing on women in leadership positions, as exemplified in the Aditya L1 mission. Simultaneously, its role in contributing to India’s economic growth is underscored by discussions about liberalizing foreign direct investments in the space sector and supporting space startups, aligning with the ‘Make In India’ initiative.
As we gaze into the future, it’s crucial to reflect on the elements that have shaped our identity. Here’s a brief glimpse into our past missions.
Among ISRO’s notable space science missions, AstroSat, India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, launched in 2015, has made significant contributions to the field of astronomy. Equipped with a suite of instruments, AstroSat observed 69 celestial objects across various wavelengths, enabling detailed spectral and temporal studies. It has not only enhanced our understanding of X-ray binary stars, active galactic nuclei, and supernova remnants and shed light on the mysteries of the universe.
Chandrayaan-1, India’s maiden lunar mission, launched in October 2008 from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota, ventured into the uncharted territory of lunar exploration, reinforcing India’s position as a growing space power. Chandrayaan-1’s primary mission was to map the moon’s surface at a height of 100 km from the lunar surface for chemical, mineralogical, and photo-geologic mapping of the Moon and search for water molecules using a state-of-the-art Moon Impact Probe. The most significant result from Chandrayaan-1 is the discovery of the presence of hydroxyl (OH) and water (H2O) molecules on the lunar surface, owing to India’s growing progress in space technology and science.
Complementing this success, ISRO embarked on the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019, aimed at achieving a soft landing on the lunar surface, marking a historic milestone in India’s lunar exploration. Despite the challenges faced during the final descent of the lander, the mission demonstrated India’s capability in lunar exploration and complex space missions. ISRO’s roadmap includes several upcoming missions that underscore India’s commitment to expanding its space exploration program.
But ISRO never gave up, and as we all know, the achievement of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission in August was indeed groundbreaking. The Chandrayaan-3 mission has successfully achieved its three main objectives: Demonstrated a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface; Successfully operated a rover on the moon and conducted in-situ scientific experiments, with all payloads performing as expected and providing groundbreaking insights. Not only did India become the first country to successfully land on the south pole of the Moon and conduct so many groundbreaking experiments, but it also surpassed its initial mission objectives with a remarkable hop experiment conducted by Vikram Lander, where the lander module effectively landed again on the moon.
Thought we’d stop at the moon? Think again: Aditya-L1, India’s first mission dedicated to studying the Sun, is another ambitious endeavor poised to provide crucial insights into the dynamics of our nearest star. It will help us monitor solar activities, understand the Sun’s influence on Earth’s climate, and unravel solar phenomena, being positioned at a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L1 point. Positioned at this critical point, this observatory will offer a unique perspective, free from Earth’s atmosphere, to unlock the secrets of solar dynamics, sunspots, and solar magnetic fields. Aditya L1 will contribute vital data to comprehend space weather and its impacts on our planet.
Our journey doesn't end here; it's merely the inception.
With upcoming missions like Gaganyaan, NISAR, Mangalyaan 2, Shukrayaan, LuPex, XPoSat, and many more, we're poised to unveil fresh mysteries of the universe, pushing the limits of our comprehension.
Starting from Gaganyaan: A Leap Towards Human Spaceflight, set to launch in 2024, is India’s ambitious endeavor to send humans into space. This monumental mission aims to propel Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit, opening a new chapter in India’s space history. Gaganyaan will mark India’s entry into the elite group of nations capable of human spaceflight, fostering scientific advancements and inspiring generations to come.
21st October 2023 marked a significant milestone in India’s space programs, as ISRO successfully conducted the Gaganyaan spacecraft’s abort test, aka TV-D1, which evaluated the spacecraft’s ability to safely abort a mission under adverse conditions known to be a crucial step in ensuring the safety of future human spaceflight missions. ISRO envisions Gaganyaan as a fundamental step towards India’s entry into the elite group of nations capable of human spaceflight. ISRO’s aspirations go beyond Gaganyaan, including a diverse portfolio of missions such as Chandrayaan for lunar exploration, Mars Orbiter Mission for Martian research, and a multitude of satellite deployments.
One such future aspiration includes the Chandrayaan 4 mission in collaboration with Japan’s JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). This mission, known as Chandrayaan 4, is set to be an ambitious endeavor to explore and study the moon further. Additionally, LUPEx, a Lunar Polar Exploration mission, will be a crucial component of Chandrayaan 4. Together, ISRO and JAXA aim to employ cutting-edge instruments and technology for in-depth studies of the moon’s surface, its composition, and mineral resources and enhance our understanding of the moon’s polar regions, conducting scientific investigations that promise to unveil new lunar mysteries
NISAR: Pioneering Earth Observation (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a collaborative mission with NASA, scheduled for 2024. This revolutionary satellite will employ advanced radar technology to provide unprecedented insights into Earth’s dynamic processes. From monitoring natural disasters to studying shifts in Earth’s surface, NISAR’s data will revolutionize our understanding of our planet’s ever-changing environment.
Mangalyaan 2: Beyond the Red Planet, building on the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), Mangalyaan 2 is set to launch in 2024. This mission aims to explore Mars in even greater detail, expanding our knowledge of the planet’s surface, atmosphere, and potential for life. Mangalyaan 2 is a testament to India’s capabilities in interplanetary exploration.
Shukrayaan: Unravelling Venus’ Mysteries, slated for the period between 2026 and 2031, is a mission to Venus, Earth’s enigmatic neighbor. By studying Venus’ surface, atmosphere, and its unique greenhouse effect, Shukrayaan seeks to decipher the planet’s geological history and the factors that led to its extreme conditions. This mission promises invaluable insights into the evolution of terrestrial planets.
Additionally, the XPoSat mission, an X-ray polarimetry satellite, showcases ISRO’s diverse scientific objectives, focusing on high-energy phenomena. XPoSat aims to measure the polarization of X-rays, offering insights into the magnetic and physical properties of celestial sources, such as pulsars and black holes. These missions collectively represent India’s growing prominence in space research and its contributions to the global scientific community.
Furthermore, considering all the space missions, including the initiatives of other countries, even though these missions are ambitious and offer great opportunities for scientific discoveries, they come with risks and challenges that must be taken into consideration, such as launch failures, space debris, microgravity effects, etc. In this sense, the comparison between Luna-25 by Russia and Chandrayaan-3 is a brainstorming topic to look at. The race to be the first to land on the lunar south pole was abruptly halted following Luna-25’s unfortunate crash during pre-landing maneuvers on Sunday, August 20. In an unfortunate series of events, an emergency emerged during a pertinent orbit adjustment, making Luna-25 incapable of the required maneuver. The engine that was supposed to put the spacecraft into pre-landing orbit worked for 127 seconds instead of the planned 84 seconds, which posed the main reason for its crash.
The investigation reveals that the prolonged propulsion was likely caused by a communication issue between the onboard control system and the accelerometers within the BIUS-L device, which measures angular velocity. Unfortunately, it appears that the accelerometers were not activated in time, possibly due to conflicting priorities in the command arrays. Consequently, the control system did not receive vital data about the spacecraft’s velocity. This exemplifies the immense challenge of space exploration, leaving no margin for even the slightest of errors. It underscores the tremendous effort and remarkable level of development demonstrated by ISRO in achieving what it has.
A Cosmic Journey Ahead India’s upcoming space missions hold the promise of unparalleled scientific discoveries. They pave the way for unraveling the mysteries of the Sun, the Moon, Earth, Mars, and even Venus and much more. These missions will not only expand our knowledge of the universe but also inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, and dreamers. As we look forward to these cosmic endeavors, we embark on a thrilling adventure, unlocking the cosmos one mission at a time.
