21-September-2024-Editorial

NEWLY APPROVED SPACE PROJECTS

The Union Cabinet of India recently approved four major space missions to be executed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

These missions, including Chandrayaan-4, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), the Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS), and the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), mark significant steps in India’s expanding space exploration endeavors.

Each project holds strategic importance, aiming to advance India’s scientific capabilities, technological self-reliance, and international standing in space research.

Newly Approved Space Projects

Chandrayaan-4

Objective: Chandrayaan-4 is designed to land on the moon, collect lunar samples, store them in a vacuum container, and return them to Earth.

Technological Advancements:

• Spacecraft development with two separate launches using the Launch Vehicle Mk III.
• Complex deep-space network support.
• The mission will involve India’s first attempt at spacecraft docking and undocking in space.

Long-term Goal: This mission will enable India to build key technologies needed for future human space missions, including plans to send astronauts to the Moon by 2040.

Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM)

Objective: The VOM aims to study Venus, focusing on its surface, subsurface, and atmospheric processes, along with the effect of the Sun on its atmosphere.

Significance:

• Venus is believed to have once had conditions similar to Earth’s, making its study essential for understanding planetary evolution.
• This will be India’s second interplanetary mission after the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) in 2014.

Launch Schedule: Planned for March 2028, this mission will launch when Venus is closest to Earth.

Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS)

Objective: The BAS is a proposed space station that will serve as a platform for scientific research and human space exploration.

Timeline:

• India plans to launch BAS by 2028.
• The space station will be fully operational by 2035, with a crewed mission to the Moon scheduled for 2040.

Global Significance: Currently, only the International Space Station (ISS) and China’s Tiangong are operational, and India aims to join this elite group.

Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV)

Objective: The NGLV will significantly enhance India’s space transportation capabilities, offering payload capacities three times greater than the current LVM3 at 1.5 times the cost.

Specifications:

• Capable of carrying up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• Aims to replace older launch vehicles like the SSLV, PSLV, and GSLV, which have payload capacities of up to 10,000 kg to LEO and 4,000 kg to Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Benefits of India’s Own Space Station

Microgravity Experiments

• BAS will offer unique opportunities to conduct scientific experiments in microgravity, potentially leading to breakthroughs in biology, materials science, and medicine.

Technological Innovation

• Developing a space station will drive innovation in areas like life-support systems, space habitats, and robotics, fostering advancements that can benefit multiple sectors.
• Example: The ISS has already demonstrated the potential for growing crops like Chinese cabbage in space.

International Leadership and Prestige

• India’s own space station will boost its global standing in space exploration, enhance technological credibility, and strengthen international partnerships.
• A national space station also opens the door for Indian companies to expand their role in satellite manufacturing and servicing, boosting the aerospace sector.

Human Spaceflight Experience

• The space station will build on the Gaganyaan mission’s success, providing long-term opportunities for Indian astronauts to gain expertise in extended missions.

Challenges in Developing and Operating a Space Station

Design and Engineering

• Space stations must withstand the harsh space environment.
• Key challenges include ensuring structural integrity, radiation protection, and maintaining a stable scientific research environment.

Life Support Systems

• Developing reliable, self-sufficient systems for air, water, and waste management is technically demanding, as these systems must function autonomously for long periods.

Cost Considerations

• Establishing a national space station will require substantial financial resources.
• Estimated costs range from USD 10-30 billion, whereas the ISS, supported by multiple countries, has already cost over USD 150 billion.
• For perspective, ISRO’s annual budget for 2024-25 is about USD 1.95 billion, while NASA operates with a significantly larger budget of USD 25 billion.

Crew Health and Safety

• Prolonged space missions pose risks to astronaut health, particularly in terms of physical deterioration in microgravity.
• Issues include bone mass loss (up to 1% per month) and fluid redistribution, which can affect vision due to increased intracranial pressure.

Supply Chain Management

• Regular resupply missions are vital to maintain the space station, necessitating precise logistical planning.
• Unlike NASA or SpaceX, India currently lacks reusable rocket technology, adding to the complexity of regular resupply missions.

Global Space Station Examples

International Space Station (ISS)

• The ISS has been operational for over two decades, serving as a hub for international scientific research.
• The ISS demonstrates the potential for international collaboration, with shared costs and resources across multiple nations.

China’s Tiangong Space Station

• Tiangong is China’s answer to the ISS, and it has solidified China’s position as a key player in space exploration.

Mir Space Station

• The USSR’s Mir space station was abandoned due to high operational costs, serving as a cautionary tale for maintaining space infrastructure.

Conclusion

India’s new space projects represent a bold leap forward in scientific exploration, space research, and human spaceflight. The Chandrayaan-4 mission, Venus Orbiter Mission, Bhartiya Antriksh Station, and Next Generation Launch Vehicle are ambitious endeavors that will strengthen India’s global role in space.

However, India must overcome significant financial and technological challenges to realize its vision of becoming a major space power.

As the country progresses in its space program, these initiatives promise to not only advance scientific knowledge but also contribute to innovations that can have a broad impact on global space exploration.