ISRO vs NASA: Budget, Achievements, and Future Missions

When comparing global space agencies, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) are often placed head-to-head. While both agencies aim for scientific excellence and space exploration, their budgets, achievements, and future missions vary greatly. This article offers a detailed comparison of ISRO and NASA to understand their unique strengths and ambitions.

ISRO vs NASA: Budget Comparison

ISRO Budget

• Annual Budget (2024–2025): Approx. $1.5 billion USD
• Known for its cost-effective missions, ISRO has gained international acclaim for achieving significant milestones at a fraction of the cost compared to other agencies.
• Example: Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) cost only $74 million, far less than similar missions by other countries.

NASA Budget

• Annual Budget (2024–2025): Over $25 billion USD
• With a much larger financial backing, NASA undertakes complex and high-risk missions involving deep space exploration, robotic missions, and manned spaceflights.

ISRO vs NASA: Key Achievements

ISRO Major Achievements

• Chandrayaan-1 (2008): Discovered water molecules on the Moon.
• Mangalyaan (2013): First Asian nation to reach Mars orbit on its first attempt.
• Chandrayaan-3 (2023): Successfully landed on the Moon’s south pole, a global first.
• PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle): Launched 104 satellites in a single mission (2017) — a world record.

NASA Major Achievements

• Moon Landing (1969): First human landing on the Moon via Apollo 11.
• Voyager Missions: Probing interstellar space since 1977.
• Hubble Space Telescope & James Webb Space Telescope: Transforming our understanding of the universe.
• Mars Missions: Includes Curiosity, Perseverance, and the Ingenuity helicopter.
• Artemis Program: Aims to return humans to the Moon and beyond.

ISRO vs NASA: Future Missions

ISRO Upcoming Missions

• Gaganyaan Mission: India’s first human spaceflight mission, expected in 2025.
• Aditya-L1: India’s first solar observation mission.
• Shukrayaan-1: Planned mission to study Venus.
• Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV): Focused on lowering launch costs.

NASA Upcoming Missions

• Artemis II & III: Human lunar missions aimed at establishing a long-term presence on the Moon.
• Mars Sample Return Mission: To bring back Martian soil for study.
• Europa Clipper (2024): To explore Jupiter’s icy moon for signs of life.
• Dragonfly (2027): A rotorcraft mission to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.

ISRO vs NASA: Technological Innovation