VOM, to be accomplished by Department of Space, is envisaged to orbit a scientific spacecraft in the orbit of planet Venus.
- ISRO will be responsible for development of spacecraft and its launch, which is scheduled in March, 2028.
- Budget: Rs. 1,236 Crore, out of which Rs 824 Crore will be spent on the spacecraft.
- Significance:
- Better understanding of Venusian surface and subsurface, atmospheric processes and influence of Sun on Venusian atmosphere.
- Understand evolution of sister planets, both Venus and Earth.
- Enable India for future planetary missions with larger payloads, optimal orbit insertion approaches.
- Large employment potential and technology spin-off to other sectors of economy.
About Venus
- Venus is Earth’s nearest planetary neighbour and is considered as ‘Earth’s-twin’ due to similar size and shape.
- Venus’ thick atmosphere traps heat creating a runaway greenhouse effect – making it the hottest planet in our solar system.
- Venus is permanently shrouded in thick, toxic clouds of sulfuric acid.
- Phosphine, a possible indicator of microbial life, has been observed in the clouds.
- Venus, along with Uranus, rotates from east to west, while all other planets rotate west to east.
