North News
New Delhi, September 18
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved India’s ambitious Chandrayaan-4 mission, aimed at developing and demonstrating technologies for a lunar landing and safe return to Earth. The mission will focus on landing on the Moon, collecting lunar samples, and bringing them back to Earth for analysis, laying the groundwork for India’s manned lunar mission planned for 2040.
Chandrayaan-4 will showcase critical technologies like docking, undocking, lunar landing, and safe Earth return. These capabilities are essential for future space exploration, with India aiming to land on the Moon by 2040 and establish a space station (Bharatiya Antariksh Station) by 2035 as part of its broader space vision during the Amrit Kaal.
The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 earlier demonstrated India’s capabilities in soft lunar landings. Chandrayaan-4 builds on that success, with its focus on lunar sample collection and return—a complex process that only a few nations have achieved.
ISRO will oversee the development of the spacecraft and launch vehicles, with the mission expected to be completed within 36 months. The project will involve substantial participation from Indian industry and academia, fostering technological growth and employment opportunities. The mission’s total cost is estimated at Rs. 2104.06 crore, covering spacecraft development, launch missions, and deep space support.
All critical technologies will be indigenously developed, with Chandrayaan-4 contributing to India’s self-reliance in foundational space technologies. The mission also promises technology spin-offs to other sectors and will establish facilities for curating and analyzing lunar samples, which will become national assets.
