India is gearing up for an extraordinary 2024 in science, from ISRO’s space missions and cutting-edge satellites to ambitious research stations in Antarctica, the Arctic and beyond.
Plot: India will embark on ambitious scientific endeavors in the coming year, from ISRO wanting to send humans into space to other institutions wanting to go under the sea. To start on a positive note, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) recently launched an X-ray polarimeter satellite (XPoSat) on January 1, 2024, with the aim of unraveling the mystery of X-rays and investigating its mysteries. the enigmatic world of black holes.
But that’s not all – on January 6, the Aditya-L1 mission satellite will be stationed at Lagrange Point-1, providing uninterrupted views of the Sun for five years. Additionally, according to a PTI report, the NISAR satellite, a joint project of NASA and ISRO, will be launched to study climate change, making it the most expensive Earth imaging satellite ever produced.
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To summarize last year’s achievements, India successfully launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission by making a soft landing near the south pole of the Moon. Looking ahead, two unmanned missions are planned under the ‘Gaganyaan’ project, which will enable Indians to go to space by 2025.
Samudrayan Mission
Marking a milestone in deep sea exploration, India’s ‘Samamyaan Mission’ plans to descend to the surface in phases. The Phase 1 goal is to reach 500 meters by March, paving the way for Phase 2’s ambitious goal of 6,000 meters. The centerpiece of the mission, the Matsya 6000, is a three-man submarine capable of continuous operation for 12-16 hours. A 24-hour oxygen supply and advanced technological capabilities provide unprecedented access to the ocean’s deepest secrets.
On the commercial front, private space companies like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos are gearing up for their first commercial launches in 2024, which will be a major milestone in India’s space exploration.
Commercial space ventures
Apart from space exploration, Indian startups are also making breakthroughs – Pixxel plans to launch a constellation of 24 satellites by 2025, and Agnikul Cosmos is preparing for a test flight of its 3D-printed “Agnibaan” rocket.
India’s Global Science Footprint
The government has also approved participation in major international science projects, including the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and the India-US collaborative Fermilab initiative. The National Quantum Mission, which aims to develop quantum technology, has been given the green light, and its cost is expected to reach over $6,000 crore in the next eight years.
Among other interesting developments, India has announced plans to build a new research station ‘Maitri-II’ in Antarctica, which is expected to become operational by 2029. The country is also expanding its presence in the Arctic with a winter expedition to the Himadri research station. .
While this scientific endeavor promises a bright future, 2023 has brought some unexpected changes, including Kiren Rijiju’s move to Earth Sciences and the sudden resignation of Department of Science and Technology Secretary Srivari Chandrasekhar. The Indian Science Congress, which is usually inaugurated by the Prime Minister, has been suspended following a row over the 109th edition organized by the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA).
2024-01-01 09:12:43
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