New Delhi, Sep 18: In a major step forward for India’s space program, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission.
This follow-up to the successful Chandrayaan-3 aims to demonstrate advanced technologies that will enable India to return safely from the Moon and bring back lunar samples for analysis on Earth. The Chandrayaan-4 mission represents an important milestone in India’s long-term vision of landing humans on the Moon by 2040.
The Chandrayaan-4 mission builds on the achievements of previous lunar missions, particularly Chandrayaan-3, which demonstrated India’s capability for a soft landing on the Moon.
The new mission aims to further develop foundational technologies necessary for a manned lunar landing. The project will focus on key innovations, such as docking and undocking in space, safe lunar landings, and successful re-entry to Earth, alongside the collection and return of lunar samples for scientific study.
The mission will play a major role in realising India’s broader space ambitions. During the Amrit Kaal, the government has outlined a roadmap for India’s space program, which includes the establishment of a Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station) by 2035 and a manned mission to the Moon by 2040. Chandrayaan-4 is seen as a crucial stepping stone towards achieving these goals.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will lead the development of the spacecraft and the overall management of the mission. With a projected timeline of 36 months from approval to completion, the mission will see involvement from Indian industry and academia. Collaborative efforts are already underway, with plans to engage universities and research institutions through science workshops and specialised forums related to the mission.
The mission will involve the use of two LVM3 launch vehicles, along with deep space network support and various tests to validate the design and technologies. All critical systems for the mission are expected to be indigenously developed, marking another step in India’s journey toward self-reliance in advanced space technologies.
The total budget for the Chandrayaan-4 mission is estimated at ₹2104.06 crore. This includes the cost of spacecraft development, the launch vehicles, external network support, and special tests to ensure the mission’s success. The mission is expected to generate employment opportunities and foster technological advancements that could have a broader impact on other sectors of the economy.
