ISRO’S SHUKRAYAAN
CONTEXT:
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has short-listed 20 space-based experiment proposals for its proposed Venus orbiter mission ‘Shukrayaan’.
ABOUT SHUKRAYAAN
- It is a mission to study Venus for more than four years.
- Scientific objectives: Investigation of the surface processes and shallow subsurface stratigraphy; and solar wind interaction with Venusian Ionosphere, and studying the structure, composition and dynamics of the atmosphere.
- The satellite is planned to be launched onboard GSLV Mk II rocket.
- The proposed orbit is expected to be around 500 x 60,000 km around Venus. This orbit is likely to be reduced gradually, over several months to a lower apoapsis (farthest point).
WHY STUDY VENUS?
- Venus is often described as the “twin sister” of the Earth because of the similarities in size, mass, density, bulk composition and gravity.
- It is believed that both planets share a common origin, forming at the same time out of a condensing nebulosity around 4.5 billion years ago.
- Venus is around 30 per cent closer to the Sun as compared to Earth resulting in much higher solar flux.