Introduction: Getting a Boost in Space Endeavours

- The Union Cabinet has recently sanctioned four major space projects of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

- The approved ventures consist of the Chandrayaan-4, Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS), and Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

 

In Detail: The Newly Approved Space Projects

- Chandrayaan-4: Paving Pathway to the Moon:

    - It will involve spacecraft formation, Launch Vehicle Mk III liftoffs, deep space network aid, and special tests.

    - For the first time, India will attempt docking and undocking — two spacecraft coordinating and integrating in orbit.

    - The project aims at making India self-reliant in technologies for manned missions and aspires to place humans on the moon by 2040.

 

- Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM): Exploring Earth's Twin:

    - VOM is devised to orbit Venus and study various aspects, including atmospheric processes and the Sun's impact on its atmosphere.

    - This project becomes important as Venus is believed to have been once habitable like Earth.

    - The mission is scheduled to blast off in March 2028, making it India’s second interplanetary mission, after the Mars Orbiter Mission in 2014.

 

- Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS): India's Ambitious Space Station:

    - BAS will be India's indigenous space station for scientific exploration.

    - India looks forward to launching its own space station by 2028 and making it fully operational by 2035.

 

- Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV): The Payload Carrier:

    - NGLV's development is also greenlit by the government. 

    - It is devised to carry up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), giving a three-fold jump in payload capacity at just 1.5 times the cost.

 

The Perks and Trials of Building a Space Station

- Building a space station can advance scientific discoveries, boost innovation, enhance India's stature in space exploration, and provide helpful insights for long-duration missions.

- However, it also brings along challenges like advanced engineering, extensive financial investment, maintenance of crew health and safety, and handling supply chain management.

 

Affordability and Resource Management: A Daunting Task 

- Building a space station is a hefty investment, involving expenses related to construction, launch, and development of various equipment. 

- ISRO's budget for 2024-25 is roughly USD 1.95 billion, while NASA operates on a much larger budget. Talking about costs, the ISS had an investment of over USD 150 billion.

- Ensuring the well-being of the crew, who might face health issues due to extended exposure to microgravity, is another major task. 

 

In a Nutshell: An Ambitious Leap

- India's aggressive space program entails the formulation of a space station, a Chandrayaan-4 mission with sample return, and a Venus exploration mission.

- By offering broader access to satellite manufacturing and solidifying the aerospace sector, these ventures enhance India's standing in space exploration. 

- Delving deep into lunar samples and revealing parallel insights into Venus’s conditions could have far-reaching consequences on understanding Earth's potential future.