Why in the News?

The Union Cabinet approved the expansion of the Chandrayaan-4 mission, Venus Orbiter Mission (Shukrayaan Misison), Gaganyaan, the development of India’s first space station (the Bharatiya Antariksh Station), and NextGen launch vehicles.

About Chandrayaan-4 Mission

Chandrayaan-4 is the fourth mission in India’s Chandrayaan program (2003).
The mission is currently under conceptualisation and expected to launch around 2027.
Aims: To develop technology for a successful moon landing and ensure a safe return to Earth.
The mission will be launched in two phases onboard two LVM3 rockets.
It will collect lunar samples for analysis on Earth.

The VOM, also called Shukrayaan-1, is an upcoming ISRO mission targeting a 2028 launch.
The mission aims to study Venus’ surface, atmosphere, volcanic activity, and solar wind interactions with its ionosphere.
It will have a mission duration of 4 years.
The spacecraft will operate in an elliptical orbit, with distances of 60,000 km at apoapsis and 500 km at periapsis.
Its payload has a capacity of 100 kg, is powered by 500 watts, and will feature Indian and international instruments for comprehensive analysis.
For the mission’s payload and technology, collaborations with NASA, CNES (France), and Russia have been established.

[2016] The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO:

is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3