Science
ISRO Sets Sights Beyond Earth: Plans Space Mission To Explore Exo-Planets, Their Potential For Supporting Life
This artist’s cartoon view gives an impression of how common planets are around the stars in the Milky Way. (Photo: ESO/M. Kornmesser)
In the wake of its successful Moon mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is now preparing to explore the mysteries surrounding dying stars and exo-planets.
During a lecture hosted by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), ISRO Chairman S Somanath announced the agency's ambitious agenda.
This includes a dedicated mission to study Venus, the launch of two satellites to investigate space's climatic behavior and its impact on Earth, and plans for a spacecraft landing on Mars.
ISRO Chairman Somanath revealed that the XPoSat, also known as the X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite, is scheduled for liftoff in December of this year.
The satellite is specifically designed to explore radiant X-ray pulsars, which are stars in their twilight.
"We are also conceiving a satellite called ExoWorlds, a mission for looking at exo-solar planets or planets that are outside our solar system and orbiting other stars," Somanath was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Somanath said that there are over 5,000 identified exo-planets, with approximately 100 of them believed to have atmospheres.
The ExoWorlds mission aims to examine the atmospheres of these exo-planets to determine their habitability and potential for supporting life.
Further, ISRO's Mars Lander Mission is also in its early stages.
Exploring Venus is particularly intriguing due to its unique atmosphere, with surface atmospheric pressure nearly 100 times that of Earth.
The reasons behind this extreme pressure remain a mystery. Additionally, Venus is shrouded in dense, acidic clouds, making surface exploration challenging.
By investigating Venus, Mars, and distant exo-planets, ISRO aims to gain insights into the evolution of celestial bodies.
These missions are pivotal, not only for understanding the universe but also for assessing the impact of human activities on Earth's habitability. ISRO's bold ventures hold the promise of illuminating the cosmos' mysteries and their significance for our planet.
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