After successful missions to the Moon and Mars, India is now set to explore Venus, with the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approving the development of the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM).
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the mission to Venus for scientific exploration.
The mission, expected to launch in March 2028, will help unravel the "Venusian atmosphere, geology and generate large amounts of science data probing into its thick atmosphere", according to a Cabinet communique.
The Cabinet has also "approved a fund of Rs 1,236 crore for the VOM, of which Rs 824 crore will be spent on the spacecraft".
"The cost includes development and realisation of the spacecraft including its specific payloads and technology elements, global ground station support cost for navigation and network as well as the cost of the launch vehicle,” the Cabinet said.
Venus is the closest planet to Earth and is believed to have formed in conditions similar to Earth. The probe offers a unique opportunity to understand how planetary environments can evolve very differently, and to find the causes for the transformation of Venus -- believed to be once habitable and quite similar to Earth.
The VOM mission will be accomplished by the Department of Space and is envisaged to orbit a scientific spacecraft in the orbit of planet Venus.
"ISRO will be responsible for the development of the spacecraft and its launch. The project will be effectively managed and monitored through the established practices prevailing at ISRO. The data generated from the mission would be disseminated to the scientific community through existing mechanisms," the Cabinet communique said.
The mission would also enable India for future planetary missions with larger payloads, and optimal orbit insertion approaches.
Drugs valued at Rs 6.13 crore seized in Mizoram, three held
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Mizoram Police in a major drug haul, have seized huge drugs worth over Rs 6.13 crore and arrested three people including a Myanmar national and a juvenile, officials said on Wednesday.
preparation meeting for Diwali mela at Tripurasundari temple held
A vibrant three-day Diwali fair and festival is set to light up Udaipur from October 31 to November 2. The decision was confirmed during a preparation meeting of the Diwali Mela and Utsav Committee held today at the Gomati District Administration Conference Hall.
Mukhyamantri Samipeshu bridges gap between government and people: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday said that Mukhyamantri Samipeshu is effectively bridging the gap between the government and the people, addressing their grievances.
Three NE CMs welcome ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan
Chief Ministers of three BJP-ruled northeastern states - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura - on Wednesday welcomed the Union Cabinet's approval to the ‘One Nation, One Election’ recommendation by a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
Dilip Ghosh slams TMC for Law and Order collapse, arrives Tripura for membership drive
Former West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh has criticized the Trinamool Congress for its lack of control over the administration, leading to the deterioration of law and order in Bengal.
Dhalai, three Blocks in Tripura achieves 100 percent saturation in Sampoornata Abhiyan
Tripura’s Dhalai District and three Aspirational Blocks have reached 100 percent Saturation under Sampoornata Abhiyan. Sampoornata Abhiyan is a campaign launched by NITI Aayog to accelerate development in India's most underdeveloped regions.
Asish files FIR against BJP, Shiv Sena leaders for defaming Rahul Gandhi
The Congress leader has filed FIR against Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Minister, Govt. of India, Tarvinder Singh, Ex- BJP MLA and Raghuraj Singh, Uttar Pradesh Minister.
CM inaugurates blood donation camp organized by Maharani Tulsibati Welfare Trust
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday said that due to the sincere efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Northeast is now free from terrorist activities and peace has been restored.