Venus Orbiter Mission

About Venus Orbiter Mission: 

• It is envisaged to orbit a scientific spacecraft in the orbit of planet Venus.
• Objectives
  • It is for better understanding of the Venusian surface and subsurface, atmospheric processes and influence of the Sun on Venusian atmosphere.
  • The study of the underlying causes of the transformation of Venus, which is whispered to be once habitable and quite similar to Earth would be an invaluable aid in understanding the evolution of the sister planets, both Venus and Earth.
  • The Indian Venus mission is expected to answer some of the outstanding scientific questions resulting in various scientific outcomes.
• India Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be responsible for the development of spacecraft and its launch.
• The mission is expected to be accomplished on the opportunity available during March 2028. The realization of the spacecraft and launch vehicle is through various industries.
• Funding: The total fund approved for the VOM is Rs.1236 Cr out of which Rs 824.00 Crore will be spent on the spacecraft.
• The cost includes development and realization of the spacecraft including its specific payloads and technology elements, global ground station support cost for navigation and network as well as the cost of launch vehicle.
• Significance: Venus, the closest planet to Earth and believed to have formed in conditions similar to Earth, offers a unique opportunity to understand how planetary environments can evolve very differently.

Q1: What is the Low Earth Orbit?

It is an orbit that is relatively close to Earth’s surface. This equates to up to 2,000 kilometers. LEO is home to the vast majority of satellites, as well as the International Space Station (ISS).

Source: After Moon and Mars, India sights science goals on Venus