ISRO's Key Missions and Goals for 2024
ISRO plans to end 2024 with significant progress in space technology, focusing on interplanetary and human spaceflight technologies.
In 2024, ISRO will work on the HLVM-3 (Human-rated Launch Vehicle Mark 3) for India’s first uncrewed space mission, part of its long-delayed human spaceflight program.
PSLV-C59 Mission
PSLV-C59 launched on December 5, 2024, successfully placed the ESA's Proba-3 spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit (600 km x 60,500 km).
This demonstrated ISRO’s ability to launch spacecraft into complex orbits, marking an important milestone for its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
Gaganyaan and LVM-3 Tests
Gaganyaan Mission is moving forward with the assembly of the HLVM-3 for its first uncrewed mission, which is a step closer to India’s human spaceflight.
LVM-3 X (2014 test) had previously tested the Crew Module's reentry capabilities, which were crucial for the Gaganyaan mission.
PSLV-C60: SpaDeX Mission
PSLV-C60, scheduled for December 30, 2024, will carry two satellites for the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission, which will demonstrate in-orbit docking.
The two satellites will rendezvous, dock, and undock, showcasing technologies for future space station missions.
POEM’s 24 Payloads
POEM-4 (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module) will carry 24 payloads, including robotic arms, space debris capture, and biological experiments like RVSat-1 (studying gut bacteria growth in space).
Payloads include advanced propulsion systems, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) testing, and communications payloads from both ISRO and private companies.
Looking Ahead to 2025
2025 is expected to be a milestone year for ISRO, with the first uncrewed mission (HLVM-3) and India’s first human spaceflight since 1984, potentially with astronaut Shubanshu Shukla aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
The year will also see the launch of the NASA-ISRO SAR mission, solidifying India’s growing role in global space exploration.
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