ISRO Plans Chandrayaan-4 around 2028, the Lunar Sample Return Mission

After the groundbreaking achievement of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is now preparing for its upcoming lunar expedition, Chandrayaan-4, expected to launch around 2028. Dr. Nilesh Desai from ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) disclosed to India Today that Chandrayaan-4, also known as the LUPEX mission, is scheduled for a 2028 launch.

Building upon the successes of Chandrayaan-3, Chandrayaan-4 aims to undertake more intricate objectives. A successful mission would elevate India to the esteemed position of being the fourth nation to retrieve samples from the lunar surface. Moreover, ISRO envisions sending Indian astronauts to the Moon by 2040, setting a long-term goal for the agency.

The primary objective of Chandrayaan-4 is to land near the lunar south pole, gather rock samples, and return them to Earth for analysis. These samples hold the potential to reveal crucial insights into lunar resources like water, essential for future human habitation and exploration.

Chandrayaan-4 will be equipped with a 350-kg rover capable of covering greater distances compared to its predecessor. The lander will execute a challenging maneuver, aiming to touchdown along the hazardous rims of lunar craters, previously unexplored.

The mission is expected to utilize India’s heavy-lift GSLV Mk III or LVM3 launch vehicles. However, the success of Chandrayaan-4 hinges on the safe retrieval of the lunar samples, necessitating a technically complex endeavor involving two launches. The landing procedure will resemble that of Chandrayaan-3, with the central module returning to Earth after docking with the orbiting module, which will later separate above Earth’s atmosphere to re-enter and drop the samples.

ISRO has already demonstrated its capability with the Vikram hop experiment, showcasing a spacecraft’s ability to lift from the Moon’s surface. Additionally, the Orbiter’s successful return from the Moon confirms the feasibility of a return trajectory, marking significant progress in India’s lunar exploration endeavours.

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