NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Director, Laurie Leshin, commends India's space achievements, citing heightened respect after the success of Chandrayaan-3. In an interview with NDTV, Leshin reveals the imminent launch of the joint India-US Earth imaging satellite, NISAR, in early 2024. NISAR, a collaborative effort by ISRO and NASA, aims to revolutionize climate change study and predict natural hazards. Leshin underscores the significance of the partnership, emphasizing the extensive collaboration between NASA and ISRO engineers. The director expresses admiration for India's space program, reaching new heights post-Chandrayaan-3, and anticipates further impactful collaborations in the future.           

ISRO's Aditya-L1 mission made a significant breakthrough in solar research by successfully recording the impulsive phase of solar flares. During its first observation period on October 29, 2023, the High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) on board Aditya-L1 recorded the impulsive phase of solar flares. The captured data is consistent with NOAA satellite measurements. This marks progress for India in studying explosive energy release during solar flares. Commissioned on October 27, 2023, HEL1OS, developed by the Space Astronomy Group of the U. R. Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO, Bengaluru is currently undergoing fine-tuning of thresholds and calibration operations. The instrument is set to monitor the Sun's high-energy X-ray activity with fast timing and high-resolution spectra. HEL1OS data enables researchers to study explosive energy release and electron acceleration during impulsive phases of solar flares.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) revealed that Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander ejected 2.06 tonnes of lunar epiregolith, forming a striking 'ejecta halo' upon its successful landing near the Moon's South Pole on August 23, 2023. ISRO's detailed analysis, based on high-resolution imagery, estimated the ejected material's area to be 108.4 m². This achievement marks India as the fourth country to soft-land on the Moon, following the US, China, and Russia. The event signifies a significant leap in lunar exploration and expands India's space capabilities.[image - ISRO]

India's space agency, ISRO, achieved a significant milestone in its Gaganyaan Mission as it successfully tested the Crew Escape System. The test, conducted using the Test Vehicle (TV-D1) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, validated crucial motors for astronaut safety, including low-altitude, high-altitude, and jettisoning motors. The system, akin to fighter jet ejection seats, safeguards astronauts by ejecting them to a safe distance in case of emergencies. ISRO's success paves the way for India's first manned space mission, with plans to send astronauts by 2025 and explore the Moon by 2040.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed the Department of Space to work towards establishing the 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' (Indian Space Station) by 2035 and achieving India's first lunar landing by 2040. This directive came during a high-level meeting focused on assessing the progress of the Gaganyaan Mission and outlining the nation's future space exploration endeavors. The meeting also highlighted the various technologies developed for the Gaganyaan Mission and affirmed its readiness for launch in 2025. In addition to this, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to set new ambitious goals, building on recent successes like Chandrayan-3 and Aditya L1 Missions.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) unveiled images of the Gaganyaan spacecraft, scheduled for a December 2024 manned space mission. ISRO announced imminent unmanned flight tests, focusing on the Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) to showcase the Crew Escape System's performance. The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate India's capability in launching a crew of two to three members into a 400 km circular orbit around Earth for a one-to-three-day mission, followed by a safe return landing in the Indian sea waters. Successful tests will pave the way for further qualifications, leading to the inaugural Gaganyaan mission with Indian astronauts. (Image Courtesy: ISRO)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that its Aditya-L1 spacecraft has surpassed Earth's influence, advancing towards the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1) at a distance of over 9.2 lakh kilometers from Earth. This achievement, the second of its kind after the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), signifies a major milestone. Launched on September 2 via PSLV-C57.1, Aditya-L1's mission involves studying the Sun's physics, corona, solar wind, and space weather impact on Earth, positioning itself in a halo orbit around L1 approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth in the direction of the Sun.

The Indian Space Research Organisation is preparing for future missions to Venus and other celestial bodies following the successful Chandrayaan 3 lunar mission. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath stressed understanding Venus given its Earth-like nature and puzzling atmosphere. Studying Venus could offer insights into planetary evolution. ISRO has configured a Venus mission with developed payloads, building on its growing reputation via the Mars Orbiter, AstroSat, and other pioneering space programs. ISRO's readiness for more complex planetary exploration highlights India's rapid advances in space technology and exploration capabilities.

  Efforts to re-establish communication with India's Chandrayaan-3 moon lander and rover have dimmed after they entered "sleep mode" during the lunar night. The robots were expected to reawaken when exposed to sunlight around September 22, but contact hasn't been made. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had expressed confidence in their survival but noted that hopes were fading. They plan to continue efforts to contact the spacecraft until September 30, the next lunar sunset. Despite the challenges, the Chandrayaan-3 mission had already achieved its primary objectives, making India a key player in lunar exploration.

The Indian Space Research Organisation is awaiting signals as it attempts to revive the Chandrayaan-3 mission's Vikram lander and Pragyan rover from sleep mode. ISRO Director (SAC) Nilesh Desai said the revival is automatic and can't be controlled from Earth. Solar-charged systems should transmit signals after lunar sunrise on Sept 22. But no contact yet as efforts continue. Revival chances are 50-50 based on electronics surviving the cold. The mission accomplished its objectives already. Further moon surface experiments are possible if revived. ISRO anxiously awaits any communication from the dormant lunar lander and rover.