Venus Orbiter Mission

Source: TH

Context: India’s maiden mission to Venus, which is scheduled for launch in March 2028, will embark on a 112-day journey to reach the planet.

About Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM):

• Launch year: Scheduled for March 2028.

• Aim: The mission aims to study Venus’ atmosphere, surface, and solar interactions. Key objectives include mapping Venus’ topography, analyzing atmospheric composition, studying solar X-rays, and examining subsurface characteristics.

• Sanctioned budget: ₹1,236-crore

• Launch vehicle: Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3)

• Targeted window: Earth departure date is scheduled on March 29, 2028, and the arrival date on Venus is July 19, 2028

• Features:

• 19 payloads (16 Indian, 2 Indian-international, 1 international). Aerobraking technique to achieve a low-altitude science orbit (200×600 km). Five-year scientific exploration period post-orbit insertion.

• 19 payloads (16 Indian, 2 Indian-international, 1 international).

• Aerobraking technique to achieve a low-altitude science orbit (200×600 km).

• Five-year scientific exploration period post-orbit insertion.

Other Missions Related to Venus

• Past missions:

• Venera Series (1961-1984): Soviet Union’s series of successful Venus missions including flybys, orbiters, landers, and balloons. Pioneer Venus (1978): NASA mission studying Venus’ atmosphere, cloud structure, and surface using radar. Magellan (1989): NASA mission mapping Venus’ surface using radar imaging. Akatsuki (2010): JAXA mission studying Venus’ atmospheric circulation.

• Venera Series (1961-1984): Soviet Union’s series of successful Venus missions including flybys, orbiters, landers, and balloons.

• Pioneer Venus (1978): NASA mission studying Venus’ atmosphere, cloud structure, and surface using radar.

• Magellan (1989): NASA mission mapping Venus’ surface using radar imaging.

• Akatsuki (2010): JAXA mission studying Venus’ atmospheric circulation.

• Future missions:

• VERITAS (2026): NASA radar mission to map Venus’ geology. DAVINCI (2026): NASA mission to study Venus’ atmosphere. EnVision (2030s): ESA radar mission mapping Venus’ surface.

• VERITAS (2026): NASA radar mission to map Venus’ geology.

• DAVINCI (2026): NASA mission to study Venus’ atmosphere.

• EnVision (2030s): ESA radar mission mapping Venus’ surface.

Insta links:

• Mission to Venus