Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan has said that the central government has approved the Chandrayaan-5 mission. He made this statement during a program in Bengaluru after officially taking over as ISRO Chief.
Narayanan shared that the approval for the Chandrayaan-5 mission was granted just three days ago, and Japan will be a partner in this endeavor. The mission will feature a 250 kg rover, significantly larger than the 25 kg rover (Pragyan) that was part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, aimed at studying the lunar surface.
Looking ahead, Narayanan mentioned that the Chandrayaan-4 mission, scheduled for launch in 2027, aims to collect samples of lunar soil. In addition to this mission, ISRO is planning multiple projects, including Gaganyaan, and efforts are underway to establish India's own space station.
The Chandrayaan-4 mission was approved by the cabinet in September 2024, with an objective to land on the moon, collect samples of lunar soil and rocks, and safely return them to Earth. This mission is estimated to cost Rs 2,104 crore and will comprise five different modules. In contrast, Chandrayaan-3, which was sent to the Moon in 2023, included three modules: a propulsion module (engine), a lander, and a rover.
Chandrayaan-4's Stack 1 will consist of an ascender module for lunar sample collection and a descender module for gathering samples from the lunar surface. Stack 2 will include a propulsion module for thrust, a transfer module for holding samples, and a re-entry module to return the samples to Earth.
The mission will utilize two different rockets: the heavy-lifter LVM-3 and ISRO's reliable workhorse PSLV, which will carry the various payloads.
2 modules of Chandrayaan-4 will go to the surface of the moon
The Chandrayaan-4 mission will be completed in several stages. After reaching the moon's orbit, 2 modules will separate from the main spacecraft and land on the surface. Both modules will collect samples from the moon's surface.
Then one module will launch from the moon's surface and will join the main spacecraft in the moon's orbit. The samples will be transferred to the spacecraft returning to Earth and sent.
ISRO scientists are preparing a robot to pick up samples from the moon's surface. Work is being done on the technology to drill deep. The technology of container and docking mechanism is being developed to collect samples.
Other future plans
3 astronauts will go to space: In 2025, a team of 3 members will be sent to the Earth's orbit 400 KM above for a 3-day mission in Gaganyaan.
Indian Space Station Launching: India's space station will have five modules. The first module will launch in 2028. The design work for this has been completed and the report has been submitted to the government for approval. This station will be the home of astronauts in space.
Sending Indian astronauts to the moon: ISRO is working on sending astronauts to the moon by 2040. Currently, the US is the only country that has sent humans to the moon. China is also working on sending its astronauts to the moon by 2030.
Venus Orbiter Mission: A budget of Rs 1,236 crore has been kept. It is to be launched in March 2028. The primary objective of VOM is to increase our understanding of the surface and atmosphere of Venus as well as the effect of the Sun on the atmosphere of Venus.
Prakash Kumar Pandey
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