ISRO’s Skybound Ambition: Plans 12 Launches in 2024, Gaganyaan Mission Takes Center Stage

New Delhi: In a grand start to the new year, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has announced its ambitious plan to conduct at least 12 missions in 2024, surpassing its previous record. The revelation was made by ISRO Chairman S Somnath during a media briefing after the successful launch of India’s first polarimetry mission, the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite, aimed to explore black holes and celestial phenomena.

Notable achievements of the space agency in 2023 include the historic landing on the Moon with Chandrayaan-3 and the launch of Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory. Building on this momentum, ISRO is set to launch a series of missions, underscoring its commitment to exploration and technological progress.

Somnath highlighted that 2024 has been designated the “Year for Gaganyaan”, India’s first human spaceflight mission. With the target launch date set for 2025, ISRO has planned two additional rounds of tests this year to prepare for this momentous event. The Gaganyaan mission will carry a crew of three astronauts to an orbit 400 km above the Earth’s surface for a three-day mission, a historic endeavor symbolizing India’s growing prowess in space exploration.

Prerequisites for the Gaganyaan mission include the development of critical technologies including a human-rated launch vehicle, life support systems and an emergency rescue system. ISRO’s commitment to careful testing, including the TV-D1 test flight demonstration and tests with the humanoid robot named Vyomitra, underlines its dedication to ensuring the safety and success of the mission.

As India progresses in space exploration, ISRO’s ambitious plans for 2024 herald important milestones, technological breakthroughs and a significant step towards the historic Gaganyaan mission.