Shukrayaan-1 facts for kids
| Mission type | Venus orbiter |
|---|---|
| Operator | ISRO |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | ISAC |
| Launch mass | 2,500 kg |
| Payload mass | ~100 kg (220 lb) |
| Power | 500 watts for payload |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | Proposed: 2023 |
| Rocket | GSLV Mk III |
| Launch site | SDSC SHAR |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Cytherocentric |
| Pericytherion | 500 km (310 mi) |
| Apocytherion | 60,000 km (37,000 mi) |
| Venus orbiter | |
| Venus atmospheric probe | |
| Spacecraft component | balloon |
Shukrayaan-1 (which means "Venus craft" in Sanskrit) is a planned space mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Its main goal is to send a spacecraft to orbit the planet Venus. The mission aims to study Venus's surface and its thick atmosphere. While it's a big idea, the mission is still being planned and is not fully confirmed yet.
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What is Shukrayaan-1?
Shukrayaan-1 is a proposed mission to explore Venus, Earth's closest planetary neighbor. The spacecraft would orbit Venus, collecting important information. Scientists hope to learn more about how Venus formed and changed over time. They also want to understand its super hot and dense atmosphere.
Why Explore Venus?
Venus is often called Earth's "sister planet" because they are similar in size. However, Venus is very different, with extreme heat and a poisonous atmosphere. Studying Venus helps scientists understand why planets develop so differently. It can also teach us more about Earth's past and future.
How the Mission Might Work
The Shukrayaan-1 spacecraft is designed to be an "orbiter." This means it will fly around Venus without landing on it. It will carry special tools and cameras to gather data. The mission might also include a small balloon to float in Venus's atmosphere. This balloon would collect information from different heights.
Launch and Funding
ISRO has been working on this mission for several years. In 2017, the Indian government provided more money for space projects. This funding helped ISRO begin detailed research for the Venus mission. If everything goes as planned, the mission could launch in the early 2020s. The spacecraft would likely be launched using India's powerful GSLV Mk III rocket.
Working with Other Countries
ISRO often works with space agencies from other countries.
- From 2016 to 2017, ISRO worked with JAXA (Japan's space agency). They studied Venus's atmosphere using signals from JAXA's Akatsuki Venus orbiter.
- ISRO is also talking with CNES (France's space agency) about working together. They might develop new technologies for the mission, like "aerobraking." Aerobraking is a way to slow down a spacecraft by using a planet's atmosphere.
See also
