On the Moon, and exploring new frontiers
- In 2023, ISRO underwent a transformative shift, transitioning from satellite deployment to becoming a comprehensive planetary exploration entity.
- This year marked a significant resurgence for ISRO, executing seven successful missions, including Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1.
Landmarks in ISRO's Missions
- India witnessed the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, a redemption from the setback faced by Chandrayaan-2 in 2019.
- It showcased ISRO's capabilities, notably through a surprise lunar "hop" experiment, demonstrating its readiness for advanced missions.
- ISRO also outlined ambitious future endeavours, including the Gaganyaan mission rescheduled for 2025.
Future ISRO Missions and Partnerships
- Chandrayaan-4's Moon sample return
- Bhartiya Antariksh Station by 2028
- A human Moon landing by 2040
Global Collaborations
- International partnerships flourished, with India
- Joining the US-led Artemis Accords for planetary exploration
- cCollaborating with NASA on a joint space mission to the International Space Station
- India and the US established a working group for commercial space collaboration and planetary defence.
National Research Foundation (NRF)
- The government in 2023 approved the National Research Foundation (NRF).
- Objective: Funding and promoting research activities with a budget of Rs 50,000 crore over the next five years.
- Modeled on the US National Science Foundation, NRF focuses on natural sciences and engineering along with social sciences, arts, and humanities.
- It aims to address disparities in research indicators, including
- India's lower GDP expenditure on scientific research, gender representation in research, and researchers per million population.
- The foundation emphasizes the union of education and research, seeking solutions to societal challenges.
Advancements in Scientific Research
- National Quantum Mission
- India launched a Rs 6,000-crore National Quantum Mission, targeting the development of a 1,000-qubit quantum computer over eight years.
- LIGO-India Project
- India approved the LIGO-India project for a gravitational wave observatory in Maharashtra.
- Antarctica and Arctic Research
- India announced the setup of a new research station, Maitri-II, in Antarctica.
- It also initiated the first winter expedition to the Arctic, strengthening its scientific presence in polar regions.
- Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
- The government introduced new national awards for scientists, named Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, restoring the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes.
2024 Outlook
- Anticipating a series of high-profile launches in 2024, including XPoSat, the year holds promise for India's scientific and space exploration endeavours.