Context:
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has expressed interest in participating in a planetary defence mission in space, in preparation for a close encounter between Earth and the Apophis asteroid on April 13, 2029. This was announced by ISRO Chairman S Somanath and senior scientists during an international workshop held in Bengaluru on Wednesday, marking Asteroid Day 2024.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Asteroid Day
- India’s Journey in Planetary Defence
- Conclusion
Asteroid Day
Asteroid Day, observed annually on June 30, commemorates the Tunguska event in 1908, when a massive air blast from an asteroid flattened 2,200 sq km of forest in Siberia, Russia. It serves to raise awareness about the potential threat asteroids pose and efforts to protect Earth from them.
India’s Journey in Planetary Defence
Observations of Apophis
- In 2004, Indian observatories detected an asteroid approximately 340 meters in size.
- They concluded that this asteroid, known as Apophis, poses a significant risk of impacting Earth.
- Apophis orbits the Sun every 360 days, frequently coming close to Earth.
- On April 13, 2029, Apophis will pass approximately 32,000 km from Earth, raising concerns about potential gravitational impacts that could affect Earth in 2036.
ISRO’s Plans for Apophis
- ISRO is preparing to study Apophis during its close approach in 2029 to enhance planetary defence capabilities against potential impacts.
- Collaboration with the Apophis asteroid mission, involving JAXA, ESA, and NASA, is being considered to leverage collective expertise and resources.
India’s Future in Planetary Defence
Opportunities
- Asteroids present both threats and opportunities for scientific discovery, offering insights into the universe’s origins and potential clues to the origins of life on Earth.
- India, equipped as a major spacefaring nation capable of complex missions, aims to:
- Conduct asteroid missions,
- Land on asteroids,
- Potentially execute planetary defence actions to safeguard Earth.
- Collaboration with nations like Japan’s JAXA, which has conducted asteroid missions and sample collection, is pivotal for advancing India’s capabilities.
Collaborative Efforts and Challenges
- ISRO aims to contribute actively to the global planetary defence programme by collaborating with international space agencies.
- However, funding constraints, exacerbated by prioritization of human space missions, pose challenges for initiating new asteroid mission projects.
Learning from NASA’s DART Mission
- NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission demonstrated the feasibility of altering an asteroid’s trajectory through kinetic impact.
- This mission highlights technological advancements in asteroid deflection strategies, crucial for mitigating potential asteroid threats.
Funding Challenges and Future Prospects
- ISRO faces financial constraints amidst priorities like human space missions, impacting funding for new projects such as asteroid missions.
- Despite challenges, ISRO remains committed to enhancing India’s capabilities in planetary defense, aiming to collaborate with global agencies and contribute significantly to safeguarding Earth.
India’s Role in Planetary Defense
- India, with its advanced space capabilities, aims to lead complex missions, including potential asteroid landings and planetary defense actions.
- Collaboration with international agencies like JAXA and others, who have expertise in asteroid missions and sample collection, is crucial for advancing India’s efforts in this domain.
Conclusion
ISRO’s initiatives towards planetary defense underscore its commitment to global efforts in mitigating asteroid risks. With ongoing developments and collaborations, India seeks to bolster its capabilities and contribute effectively to safeguarding Earth from potential asteroid impacts.
-Source: Indian Express
