New Delhi, Updated: Feb 29, 2024, 11:33 AM IST
Key points:
- Chandrayaan-4 aims to build on Chandrayaan-3’s success.
- ISRO plans to send Indians to the Moon by 2040.
- The mission intends to land near the lunar south pole and collect rock samples.
Following the triumph of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for its next lunar odyssey, Chandrayaan-4, anticipated to embark on its journey around 2028. Dr. Nilesh Desai, Director of ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC), revealed that Chandrayaan-4, also dubbed the LUPEX mission, is poised to build upon the achievements of its predecessor while aiming for more intricate objectives.
Chandrayaan-4 aspires to leverage the breakthroughs attained during the Chandrayaan-3 mission while venturing into more ambitious territory. ISRO envisions a strategic trajectory that involves sending Indian astronauts to the Moon by 2040, outlining a comprehensive 15-year plan geared towards infrastructure and capability development.
The mission is slated to land in the vicinity of the lunar south pole, with the primary objective of collecting rock samples. These samples are pivotal for studying lunar resources, particularly water, with the mission set to deploy a 350-kg rover engineered to cover extensive distances and explore uncharted lunar terrain.
Chandrayaan-4 is expected to utilize India’s heavy-lift GSLV Mk III or LVM3 launch vehicles. The success of the mission hinges on the safe retrieval and return of the lunar samples to Earth. The landing strategy entails the central module’s return post-docking with the orbiting module. ISRO’s track record of successful experiments and safe lunar returns underscores confidence in achieving Chandrayaan-4’s mission objectives.