Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) – India's Ambitious Mission to Venus

• India's space agency, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), is planning to explore Venus through its Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM). 
• This mission aims to study Venus' atmosphere, surface, and geological activity while also testing advanced space technologies like aerobraking and thermal management.

Key Objectives of VOM

• The Venus Orbiter Mission is designed to achieve the following goals:
  • Study Venus' Atmosphere – Analyze the presence of dust, airglow, and greenhouse gases in Venus' dense, acidic atmosphere.
  • Map the Surface – Use radar imaging to understand Venus' terrain, volcanoes, and geological features.
  • Analyze the Ionosphere – Investigate how solar radiation interacts with Venus' upper atmosphere.
  • Explore Subsurface Features – Study the structure beneath Venus' surface to understand its geological history.
  • Test New Technologies – Experiment with aerobraking (using atmospheric drag to slow down a spacecraft) and thermal protection for future missions.

Key Mission Details:

• Targeted Launch Date: March 2028.
• Launch Vehicle: LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3).
• Major Payloads:
  • VARTISS (Venus Advanced Radar for Topside Ionosphere and Subsurface Sounding).
  • VODEX (Venus Orbit Dust Experiment).

About Venus – Earth's Twin 

• Closest planetary neighbour to Earth and similar in size and composition, earning it the nickname "Earth's Twin."
• Orbital Period: 224.7 Earth days.
• Distance from the Sun: 108.2 million km (0.72 AU).
• Thick carbon dioxide atmosphere traps heat, making it the hottest planet in the solar system.
• Covered in dense, toxic clouds of sulphuric acid.
• Phosphine detected in its clouds – a potential indicator of microbial life.
• Uniquely, Venus rotates from east to west, opposite to most planets except Uranus.

Past Venus Missions (Historical Achievements)

Ongoing & Upcoming Venus Missions

Why Venus Exploration Matters?

• Understanding Greenhouse Effects (Venus is the hottest planet).
• Studying Planetary Evolution (Comparing Venus with Earth).
• Searching for Signs of Life (Phosphine detection in Venus' clouds).