India’s space research agency the Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO maintains the country’s ambition and remains at the foreground of space innovation and advancement even in the year 2024. Here is a list of nine of the largest missions that ISRO is launching this year, demonstrating India’s evolving role in the space industry.  

1. Gaganyaan Mission 

Out of which the Gaganyaan project an India’s first manned space mission is something that is expected to be a game changer. ISRO has not yet revealed the detailed process of testing but after the recent LEM test the organisation plans to rollout the first unmanned GSLV MK III in early 2024 and the first crewed mission in the same year in the later half. This mission is intended to launch Indian astronauts to low earth orbit and place India in a league of its own and only the fourth country to do so. 

2. NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar). 

Developed jointly with NASA, the NISAR satellite is intended to detect the least signs of shifts in the Earth’s surface; it will be used to cope with disasters, study the climate, and much more. Priced at USD 2 billion, this mission is planned for 2024 and typifies the new international collaborations that ISRO is now cultivating. 

3. Aditya-L1 Mission 

Aditya-L1 is the first Indian Solar mission in which we will be observing the outermost layer of the sun, the corona in order to develop an understanding on the heliospheric activities occurring in space and its influence on space weather. This mission may be launched by mid 2024 and if successful, it will help in understanding the dynamics of the sun that may help in saving satellite operations and power supplies on earth from havoc made by the solar storms. 

4. Shukrayaan-1 (Venus Orbiter Mission) 

Shukrayaan-1 is the first Indian mission to Venus and the satellite is planned for a launch in the year 2024. This mission will investigate the planet’s atmosphere, the topography and geologic activity, and history of Venus to give better insight into the Earth’s twin. It reflects ISRO ‘s increasing attention towards planetary analysis beyond planet Mars and moon. 

5. XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) 

XPoSat is a challenging space telescope to be launched to study cosmic X-rays with an aim to bring out new scientific understanding among cosmic high energy objects including neutron stars, black holes and supernova remnants. The satellite is to be launched in the third quarter of the year 2024 to improve India’s inputs to the world astrophysical community. 

6. NavIC or Navigation with Indian Constellation Expansion 

The Indian Space Research Organisation is to scale up and improve the homegrown NavIC, which is similar to GPS. The plan is to increase the number of satellites and upgrade the facilities on the ground to try to increase the Precision of position locating services in the sub-continent and other areas of the world. 

7. Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV-TD) Test 

ISRO still employs the Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) and a strive to create much more. Further testing is planned in 2024, the program has already passed test flights in the form of prototypes. The primary objective of this project is to create a low cost, reusable space launch vehicle service to change the freeware to that of​ paid service. 

8. Small Satellite Launch Vehicle program or SSLV program 

Thus, to match the growing trend and market for small satellites, SSLV programme under ISRO is developing one to meet the undefined and unutilized requirement of an efficient and economically viable launch vehicle. The SSLV which is expected to have more than one launch in 2024 is a dedication for on-demand launch small satellites and adds more commercial aspects to ISRO. 

9. MOM 2 Mangalyaan 2 

On the heels of Mangalyaan-1, ISRO is now developing the Mars Orbiter Mission 2. Much is expected to be achieved by 2024; the efforts will be directed to more scientific intensive goals and longer duration exploration beyond the Indian Territory int he cosmos. 

Conclusion 

Apart from showcasing the technological capability of ISRO, they also support India’s status as a major space faring nation. They all serve a purpose of providing us knowledge about our world and universe and ISRO’s dedication to enhance science and technology. While these missions are on the anvil, they await their potential imperative in motivating the generations to come and the establishment of India as more of a significant player in the extra planetary voyages.