India considers going to Jupiter and Venus
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The competition heats up: India’s space agency ISRO is considering unmanned missions to both Jupiter and Venus, while also delaying their first manned test flight four years until 2024.
More significant, the second link had this quote:
Mr Somnath said during the current fiscal, Isro planned eight PSLV flights, up from six in 2016. “Our aim is to steadily increase the launches between 12 and 20 in phases with creation of necessary infrastructure.
Like everyone else, they are getting enough business to up their launch rate. 2017 is going to be an active year in the launch market.
Please consider donating to Behind the Black, by giving either a one-time contribution or a regular subscription, as outlined in the tip jar to the right or below. Your support will allow me to continue covering science and culture as I have for the past twenty years, independent and free from any outside influence.
The competition heats up: India’s space agency ISRO is considering unmanned missions to both Jupiter and Venus, while also delaying their first manned test flight four years until 2024.
More significant, the second link had this quote:
Mr Somnath said during the current fiscal, Isro planned eight PSLV flights, up from six in 2016. “Our aim is to steadily increase the launches between 12 and 20 in phases with creation of necessary infrastructure.
Like everyone else, they are getting enough business to up their launch rate. 2017 is going to be an active year in the launch market.
Jupiter will be tough with Solar power on their relatively small launchers. Not even ESA has ever gone there with their large Ariane 5. Only NASA has been beyond Mars (not counting Rosetta in hibernation as it touched Jupiter’s orbit at its farthest). Venus is much more suitable for ISRO. Nearby and with many open research topics. Comparatively “easy” to make important breakthroughs in science there, even relevant to exoplanets and Earth’s climate.