- India plans to land a spacecraft on Mars, aiming to become the fourth nation to achieve this milestone.
- The mission, Mangalyaan-2, has received approval from the Space Commission and awaits final clearance from PM Modi.
- This is part of ISRO’s long-term space ambitions, including a space station by 2035 and a Moon mission by 2040.
Can India Pull Off Another Historic Mars Mission?
After the success of Mangalyaan in 2014, India is now planning an even bigger challenge—landing on Mars. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has proposed the Mars Lander Mission (MLM), also called Mangalyaan-2, which would place a lander and rover on the Martian surface for advanced scientific exploration. If successful, India would join the US, Russia, and China as the only nations to land on Mars.
Mangalyaan-2 is still in the conceptual phase but has received initial approval from the Space Commission. Now, the final decision lies with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Cabinet. Given India’s growing focus on space exploration, experts believe the mission is likely to get the green light soon.
What’s Next for India’s Space Ambitions?
Landing on Mars is just one part of ISRO’s grand vision. The space agency is also planning:
- An Indian Space Station by 2035.
- A human mission to the Moon by 2040.
- A Venus Orbiter Mission and a UV Astronomy project with Canada.
- The development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) for advanced space travel.
If Mangalyaan-2 gets approved, it will mark a major leap in India’s interplanetary ambitions. With each successful mission, India is cementing its status as a major global space power. Now, all eyes are on PM Modi’s final decision—will India take the next giant leap towards Mars?
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