The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently made an exciting announcement, calling upon scientists across India to submit proposals for analyzing historical data gathered from previous missions to Venus. This initiative is a significant step towards deepening our understanding of Earth’s enigmatic sister planet.
This call for proposals comes as India gears up for its own pioneering journey to Venus. The Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), India’s very first endeavor to explore Venus, received crucial approval from the Union Cabinet in 2024, marking a new chapter in the nation’s space ambitions.
The ambitious VOM will deploy a sophisticated spacecraft designed to orbit Venus, meticulously examining its mysterious surface, dense atmosphere, and the complex interplay between the planet and our Sun.
An ISRO official stated, "To foster and expand the scientific community engaged with the Venus Orbiter Mission, ISRO is formally inviting researchers through this Announcement of Opportunity (AO). The goal is to encourage comprehensive analysis and innovative modeling of the extensive archival data already available for Venus."
ISRO has clarified that both individual scientists and teams of academicians from various national institutions, universities, colleges, planetariums, and government organizations within India are welcome to submit their research proposals.
A key requirement for leading a project as a Principal Investigator (PI) is a minimum of four years of service remaining before retirement, ensuring sustained dedication to the research.
Interested scientists and researchers should note that the deadline for submitting these groundbreaking proposals is November 15, 2025.
Key Research Focus Areas
The research themes for these proposals span a wide range of Venusian studies, including detailed investigations into the planet’s morphology, topography, and sub-surface features. Other crucial areas involve geological mapping, understanding Venus’s mineralogy and surface composition, and thoroughly analyzing its atmospheric structure, dynamics, and chemical makeup. Furthermore, proposals are sought for exploring the Venusian ionosphere, its interaction with solar wind, and advanced modeling of both the atmosphere and ionosphere.
ISRO anticipates that these research projects will be completed within a three-year timeframe, providing valuable insights ahead of the mission’s arrival at Venus.
The space agency had previously announced the targeted launch window for the Venus Orbiter Mission on October 1, 2024.
The ambitious timeline for VOM sets its departure from Earth for March 29, 2028, with an anticipated arrival at Venus on July 19, 2028. This pivotal mission will be carried into space by ISRO’s powerful Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3).