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.
Talks with farmers end on positive note; next meeting on March 19
The second round of meeting between a three-member Central government delegation, led by Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and protesting farmer unions ended here after three hours on Saturday night with a positive approach and cordial manner.
Assam Rifles seize gold valued at Rs 1.02cr, two youths held
In a significant crackdown on smuggling activities, Assam Rifles in collaboration with Customs officials on Saturday seized gold worth Rs 1.02 crore and arrested two persons in Tripura, officials said.
Over 60 crore pilgrims visit Maha Kumbh till Feb 22
Around 60 crore pilgrims have so far visited the Prayagraj to take the holy dip at Triveni Sangam while over 1.1 crore pilgrims took the dip on Saturday.
Trump administration’s information on USAID is ‘concerning’: EAM Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Saturday that the information given by the administration of US President Donald Trump regarding USAID is ‘concerning’
Former Tripura CM prefers ‘Namaste’ over ‘Red Salute’ in paying homage to late leaders
The 27th state conference of the party is especially crucial considering that from the event the new leadership in the form of the new state committee will be selected that will lead the party for the crucial state Assembly elections in 2026.
PM Modi to lay foundation stone of cancer hospital in MP tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform 'bhumi-pujan' of the Medical Science & Research Institute in the Chhatapur district of Madhya Pradesh on February 23.
Cooperative banks need to adopt new technologies for progress: Amit Shah
He said that the cooperative sector has taken major initiatives to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two resolutions comprising a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and to make the country’s economy $5 trillion by 2027.
Amit Shah distributes sanction letters to 20 lakh beneficiaries of PMAY
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that by providing homes and toilets, Prime Minister Modi has safeguarded the dignity and self-respect of the poor.