Dozen Daring Space Missions: ISRO Unveils Ambitious 2024 Lineup

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to embark on an impressive series of space missions in the next two years, focusing on exploration, communication, and innovation. With a roadmap for 2024, ISRO plans 12 significant missions, showcasing India’s expanding space capabilities.

A highly anticipated mission is the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR), scheduled for launch in 2024. This collaborative effort will result in the first dual-band radar imaging satellite, offering crucial data for Earth observation and emphasizing growing international cooperation in space exploration.

Among other ambitious projects, the INSAT-3DS communication satellite, part of the Indian National Satellite System series, plays a vital role in meteorology and disaster management. RISAT-1B and Resourcesat-3 will enhance India’s remote sensing capabilities, while TDS01 and SPADEX focus on technological research and lunar mission experimentation.

Continuing the legacy in oceanography and atmospheric studies, Oceansat-3A is in the pipeline. The Indian Data Relay Satellite System (IDRSS) aims to establish real-time communication with remote sensing and scientific satellites. GSAT-20 is expected to strengthen telecommunication services, while NVS-02 will enhance navigation systems.

In a significant development, ISRO is gearing up for crewed missions through the Gaganyaan Mission, marking India’s entry into human spaceflight. The Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) project aims to demonstrate cost-effective space access technologies.

According to Science & Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, private sector involvement in India’s space endeavours is thriving. As of November 2023, 523 startups and companies have engaged with IN-SPACe, ISRO’s commercial arm, with 297 seeking support for research and development. This surge follows the government’s decision to open up the space sector, fostering a new era of innovation and collaboration.