The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has a busy schedule ahead, with several ground-breaking missions planned for 2023 and beyond. Following the achievements of past missions, ISRO is set to explore new areas of space technology and exploration.  

Here’s a closer look at the old and upcoming missions on the horizon: 

RISAT-1A: Advanced Earth Observation 

RISAT-1A was another important mission in ISRO’s lineup. This radar imaging satellite was similar to RISAT-1 and was made for mapping land and surface analysis. The satellite played a crucial role in monitoring land, ocean and water surfaces, making it an essential tool for both environmental monitoring and defense applications. 

Chandrayaan-3: Continuing Lunar Exploration 

After the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2, ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission had already made headlines. It was launched on July 14, 2023, from Sriharikota. Chandrayaan-3 aims to achieve a soft landing on the moon’s surface.  

Unlike its predecessor, Chandrayaan-3 does not include an orbiter but focuses on landing a rover over the lunar surface. On August 23, 2023, the rover successfully landed near the moon’s south pole. This mission is set to improve our knowledge of the lunar surface and its potential resources. 

Aditya-L1: India’s First Solar Mission 

The Aditya-L1 mission was one of ISRO’s most-awaited projects. It was launched on 2 September 2023. It represented India’s first venture into solar exploration. The mission focused on studying the sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the solar corona, using a solar coronagraph. 

Additionally, it used X-ray spectroscopic instruments to capture flare spectra and in-situ instruments to observe solar events. This ground-breaking mission provided valuable insights into solar activities and their impact on space weather. 

Gaganyaan-1: India’s First Uncrewed Human Spaceflight 

The Gaganyaan-1 mission is a big step for India in space exploration. Gaganyaan-1 is an Indian spacecraft that will be uncrewed. It is set for the foundation of the Indian Human Spaceflight Program.  

Designed to carry three astronauts, this mission will be first uncrewed test flight under the Gaganyaan program. An upgraded version of the spacecraft will have the ability to dock with another spacecraft. The launch of Gaganyaan-1mission is expected for December 2024. 

Gaganyaan-2: Preparing for Crewed Missions 

After the first crewed mission, ISRO will conduct Gaganyaan-2, second uncrewed spacecraft flight test under the Gaganyaan program. It is planned for launch in 2025.  

This mission is important for checking the spacecraft’s systems and how they will work. It will be the second of two essential flight tests needed to ensure the safety and success of the crewed Gaganyaan mission. 

NISAR: Collaborative Space Radar 

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a collaborative project between NASA and ISRO. The mission will feature a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar for remote sensing. 

NISAR will provide valuable data on Earth’s surface changes, helping in natural disaster management, climate change studies and various other applications.