Recent Advancements in India's Space Program
The Indian government has greenlit multiple new space missions, including work on a new rocket, and missions to the Moon and Venus.
Significant funding has been allocated for different missions
Cabinet also approved ISRO’s development of Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) designed for enhanced launch capabilities; collaboration with industry for operational readiness.
New Projects
Four missions for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program approved.
Four missions to test technologies for India’s first space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station 1, by 2028
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) expected launch by Hindustan Aeronautics, Ltd. and Larsen & Toubro in late 2024 or early 2025.
The Venus Orbiter Mission is expected to be launched in a window available in March 2028 and will cost Rs 1,236 crore.
Chandrayaan-4 and LUPEX
Chandrayaan-4 is a sample-return mission planned for 2027 to collect lunar soil and rock.
Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX): A joint moon mission with Japan focused on polar exploration, aiming to develop new lunar landing technology.
JAXA is developing and operating the rover, and ISRO for developing and operating the lander
SBS and Axiom-4
Space Based Surveillance (SBS): It will help in better land and maritime domain awareness for civilian and military applications.
SBS 1 was launched in 2001, and involved the launch of four satellites e.g., Risat 2
SBS 2 came in 2013 with the launch of six satellites e.g., Risat 2A.
The third phase approved, involving 21 ISRO satellites and 31 from private companies.
The satellite will be the first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequencies
From the Private Sector
Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads (LEAP-3): Manastu Space’s collaboration with Dhruva Space to test green propulsion technology for carrying payloads in 2025.
Project 200: Bellatrix Aerospace developing a satellite prototype for ultra-low Earth orbit capabilities.
Ananth Technologies has become the first private firm to work on satellite assembly for ISRO.
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