Sweden joins India’s Venus mission, enhancing space ties.

Sweden, which has collaborated with India on space missions since 1986, is set to contribute an instrument for India’s upcoming Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM). The mission was officially approved by the Union Cabinet on September 18, with a budget of Rs 1,236 crore. Sweden’s deputy minister of foreign trade, Håkan Jevrell, confirmed this during an interview, while leading Sweden’s largest-ever space delegation to India. Jevrell and his team held meetings with ISRO, the Indian National Space Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), and visited IISc in Bengaluru.

The Swedish delegation revealed that the instrument for the mission, developed by the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF), will focus on studying the interaction between solar charged particles and Venus’ atmosphere and exosphere. The project will utilize the Venusian Neutrals Analyzer (VNA), a part of Sweden’s second venture into Venus exploration, following their successful collaboration in the European Space Agency’s Venus Express mission (2006-2014).

Sweden has long been involved in India’s space endeavors, contributing to all three of India’s lunar missions — Chandrayaan-1, 2, and 3. Discussions are underway for future collaborations on Chandrayaan-4 and Gaganyaan, India’s human spaceflight mission. Jevrell expressed confidence in Sweden’s capabilities and said the country is eager to continue working closely with ISRO.

Regarding the expanding private sector involvement in space, Jevrell welcomed the changes in India’s space policies. He highlighted the benefits of collaboration between government, academia, and industry, noting that Sweden has fostered global companies and unicorns through such partnerships. The meetings between Sweden’s space delegation and Indian counterparts were aimed at identifying areas of mutual interest and strengthening ties in the space sector.