2024: Achievements in Science and Space Exploration
The year 2024 has been a remarkable year for scientific advancements, especially in India’s space and technology sectors. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved several milestones, further establishing India as a global leader in space exploration and science. Alongside India, other nations also made significant strides in science and technology. Let’s look in detail at some of the key events of the year.
Aditya-L1: India’s First Solar Mission
India’s Achievement in Solar Research
- Launch:
On September 2, 2023, India launched the Aditya-L1 spacecraft into space using the PSLV-C57 rocket. - Successful Positioning:
On January 6, 2024, Aditya-L1 successfully positioned itself at the Lagrangian Point 1 (L1), which is a point between the Earth and the Sun where gravitational forces balance out. This positioning is ideal for studying the Sun’s outermost layers. - India’s Ranking in Solar Exploration:
India became the 4th country in the world to send a mission to study the Sun, following the United States, Germany, and Europe.
Aditya-L1’s Instruments
- Magnetometer Boom Instrument:
- The Magnetometer Boom is designed to measure the magnetic fields of the Sun’s corona and solar wind.
- Equipped with two high-precision sensors, it has been operational for 132 days, providing crucial data about solar activity.
Research Areas:
- Understanding solar magnetic fields.
- Studying solar wind and its impact on the Earth’s magnetosphere.
- Observing the influence of solar energy on Earth’s climate and environment.
Kulasekarapattinam Rocket Launch Pad
New Spaceport’s Significance
- Foundation Ceremony:
On February 28, 2024, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation for a new rocket launch pad in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, developed by ISRO. - First Test Rocket:
- The RH-200 test rocket was successfully launched, reaching an altitude of 100 kilometers before falling into the sea.
- This marked an important milestone in India’s space infrastructure development.
- Future Prospects:
- This new spaceport will be vital for launching small and medium-sized satellites into space.
- It will serve as a major asset for India’s growing space research and satellite launch programs.
Cartosat-2: Re-Entry and Controlled Landing
Features and Significance:
- On February 16, 2024, ISRO successfully conducted a controlled re-entry of the Cartosat-2 satellite, which had completed its mission in space.
- The satellite was sent back to Earth, and it was safely landed in the Indian Ocean.
- This was a crucial test for India’s re-entry and deorbiting technology, demonstrating ISRO’s capability in managing satellite lifecycle and space debris.
INSAT 3DS: Weather Forecasting Satellite
Launch and Application:
- On February 17, 2024, ISRO successfully launched the INSAT 3DS weather satellite using the GSLV F-14 rocket from Sriharikota.
- The satellite is designed to provide accurate weather data and is especially useful for monitoring agricultural patterns, fisheries, and disaster management in India.
- The data from INSAT 3DS will help in improving climate forecasts, resource management, and monitoring of natural hazards.
International Achievements in Space Exploration
Japan and the SLIM Mission:
- On January 20, 2024, Japan successfully landed its SLIM spacecraft on the Moon, becoming the 5th country to achieve this feat. This mission focuses on lunar exploration and mapping.
China’s Antarctic Research Facility:
- On February 7, 2024, China completed the construction of its 5th research station in Antarctica, named Quingling.
- This station will focus on environmental studies, ice cap monitoring, and climate change research in the polar region.
Significance of 2024 in Science and Technology
2024 has been an exceptional year in terms of scientific and technological progress:
- Space Exploration Achievements: India’s Aditya-L1, the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport, and Cartosat-2 missions highlight the country’s advancements in space technology.
- Weather and Climate Research: The launch of the INSAT 3DS satellite is a significant step in improving weather forecasting and environmental monitoring in India.
- Global Impact: These achievements have not only placed India at the forefront of global space research but also enhanced its contribution to scientific advancements across multiple domains.
2024 will be remembered as a year of remarkable scientific breakthroughs and innovations, with India continuing to rise as a global powerhouse in space exploration and technology.
1. America – Private Lunar Landers (50 Years Later)
February 23, 2024:
After 50 years since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, Intuitive Machines, a private American company, successfully landed its IM-1 spacecraft on the Moon. The Odysseus lander aboard the spacecraft was launched on February 15 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a Falcon-9 rocket. This achievement marked the first private lunar landing in history, specifically in the Moon’s southern polar region, showcasing the capabilities of private space companies.
2. India’s Advanced Nuclear-capable Missile
April 4, 2024:
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Agni Prime nuclear-capable missile. This missile has a striking range of 2,000 kilometers, making it capable of hitting multiple types of targets with high precision. This development bolsters India’s defense capabilities significantly, adding a crucial element to its strategic defense systems.
3. Carbon Sequestration in the Ocean – Breakthrough Discovery
May 1, 2024:
Researchers from IIT Chennai have made a groundbreaking discovery in carbon sequestration. They found that carbon dioxide can be stored permanently in the form of solid hydrates at depths of 500 meters in the ocean. This technique will aid India in its efforts to meet climate change targets and contribute to global carbon mitigation efforts, potentially making it a key method for reducing the effects of climate change.
4. Water on the Moon – New Discoveries
May 1, 2024:
A team of scientists from ISRO and other international research organizations, including South California University, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Gandhinagar, conducted a study to understand the potential for water on the Moon. They discovered that ice deposits near the Moon’s polar regions are much larger than previously estimated, with the ice layer at the Moon’s north pole being twice as thick as the one at the south pole. These findings open up possibilities for future lunar exploration and the utilization of lunar water resources.
5. Flying Taxis – A Step Towards the Future of Urban Mobility
May 11, 2024:
IIT Chennai, in collaboration with a private company, is developing an electric flying taxi. This taxi, which operates fully on electricity, can travel at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour and is designed to carry two passengers. The vehicle can take off and land vertically, requiring only a space of 15 feet by 15 feet. This flying taxi has the potential to revolutionize urban transport, reducing traffic congestion and increasing mobility efficiency.
6. Private Space Launch Facility and 3D Printed Rockets
May 30, 2024:
In a joint initiative with ISRO, Agnikul Cosmos, a private space company, has established a private launchpad at Sriharikota, which will be used for launching small-scale rockets into space. The company also unveiled the world’s first 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket, called Agnipaan, capable of carrying up to 300 kilograms of payload to a distance of 700 kilometers. This rocket was successfully launched from the private facility, marking a milestone in the commercialization of space exploration.
7. China’s Lunar Exploration – Success at the South Pole
June 25, 2024:
China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft successfully landed on the Moon’s south pole in May, collecting lunar samples and returning to Earth. This mission was significant because it provided further insights into the Moon’s polar region, which is thought to harbor valuable resources like water ice. The mission’s success further cements China’s position as a major player in space exploration, with ongoing advancements in lunar missions.
These events mark a year of remarkable progress in space exploration, defense, and scientific research globally. Countries like the United States, India, China, and others have made significant strides in their space missions, defense technologies, and environmental research, highlighting the growing importance of space and advanced technologies in shaping the future.
1. Pushpak Rocket
On June 23, 2024, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) successfully conducted the third and final stage of testing for the “Pushpak” reusable rocket. This rocket is capable of carrying satellites and spacecraft into space and then returning to Earth. The successful test marks a significant milestone for ISRO, showcasing India’s progress in developing reusable space vehicles, which will contribute to reducing the cost of launching satellites and spacecraft.
2. Pervo Energy – Heat-Based Electricity Generation
On June 26, 2024, a company named “Pervo Energy” based in Texas, USA, discovered a method to generate electricity from the Earth’s heat. This breakthrough is considered a major development in clean energy technology, as it uses geothermal heat to produce electricity. The first phase of this project aims to generate 400 megawatts of clean power, enough to supply approximately 400,000 homes, potentially revolutionizing energy production by utilizing the planet’s natural heat instead of fossil fuels.
3. Aditya L-1 Mission
On July 2, 2024, ISRO’s Aditya L-1 spacecraft completed its first orbit around the Sun at the Lagrange point L1. Aditya L-1 is India’s first solar mission, tasked with studying the Sun and its impact on space weather. This mission aims to provide crucial data on solar activity, which can help predict solar storms that may affect satellite communications and Earth’s magnetic field.
4. Moon Cave Discovery
On July 15, 2024, Italian scientists discovered evidence of a cave located a short distance from the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 lunar landing sites. The cave is estimated to be 130 feet wide and several hundred meters long. This discovery is significant because the cave could provide a natural shelter for future astronauts, offering protection from temperature extremes and radiation on the Moon.
5. National Space Day
On August 12, 2024, the Indian government declared August 23 as “National Space Day” to commemorate the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram Lander on the Moon’s south pole. On this day, ISRO released a logo with the theme “Touching Lives When Touching the Moon: India’s Space Milestone” to celebrate India’s achievements in space exploration.
6. Agni-4 Missile Test
On September 6, 2024, ISRO successfully conducted a test of the Agni-4 missile at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. The missile, capable of accurately targeting and destroying various types of targets, is a key component of India’s defense system and strengthens its deterrence capabilities.
7. Paramruthra Supercomputer
On September 26, 2024, as part of the National Supercomputing Mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the “Paramruthra” supercomputers, developed domestically at a cost of Rs. 130 crores. These supercomputers will enhance scientific research and facilitate the development of new technologies by providing the computational power needed for complex simulations and data analysis.
8. Analak Test in Ladakh
On November 2, 2024, ISRO began an “analak” (analog) test in the Leh region of Ladakh to simulate space conditions and study how astronauts will fare in space-like environments. The test will help in understanding how human physiology reacts to extreme temperatures and other environmental factors that mimic outer space conditions. For this, a habitat module called “Hop-1” was set up in the region.
9. Proba-3 Satellites
On December 5, 2024, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched two satellites, “Proba-3,” which are designed to study the Sun’s corona and outer atmosphere. These satellites were launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C59 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, marking another successful collaboration between India and Europe in space exploration.
These events and advancements highlight the ongoing achievements in space research, technological development, and clean energy initiatives. They also underscore India’s growing role as a global leader in space exploration and innovation.
