India's space agency, ISRO, is gearing up for an exciting mission to Venus, often referred to as Earth's "twin." This mission, named Shukrayaan, aims to delve deep into the mysteries of Venus and enhance our understanding of planetary evolution.
Venus is often likened to Earth because of its similar mass, density, and size. Historical assumptions suggested that Venus might have harbored liquid water and possibly supported life. However, these similarities are only superficial as Venus presents a vastly different environment.
Despite its resemblance to Earth, Venus boasts an incredibly hostile environment. The surface temperature soars to about 462°C due to a runaway greenhouse effect. Its atmospheric pressure is about 93 times that of Earth, primarily composed of carbon dioxide with clouds of sulfuric acid. Additionally, Venus rotates very slowly on its axis compared to Earth, adding to its unique characteristics.
Understanding Venus is crucial for scientists seeking insights into planetary evolution. By studying Venus, researchers hope to uncover why Earth became conducive to life while its "twin" did not. These findings could provide valuable knowledge about Earth's past and future.
The Shukrayaan spacecraft is designed to orbit Venus, carrying a suite of scientific instruments to investigate the planet's surface, atmosphere, ionosphere, and its interaction with the Sun. A distinctive feature of this mission is its use of aero-braking, a technique that utilizes atmospheric drag to slow down the spacecraft and adjust its orbit, enhancing the mission's scientific potential.
Shukrayaan marks a pioneering step for ISRO as it will be the agency's first mission to employ aero-braking. This approach leverages atmospheric drag, a force exerted by the atmosphere that slows down an object moving through it, akin to air resistance.
Several other missions are planned to study Venus, highlighting global interest in the planet. The United States has scheduled two missions: DaVinci for 2029 and Veritas for 2031. Meanwhile, the European Space Agency plans to launch its EnVision mission in 2030.
As of now, ISRO's Shukrayaan mission is expected to launch in March 2028, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration endeavors.
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