ISRO's Chandrayaan-4 to Land on Moon in 2027, Aims for India's First Lunar Sample Return

India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is set to embark on its most ambitious lunar mission yet, Chandrayaan-4. Scheduled for launch in 2027, this mission aims to not only land on the Moon’s south pole but also collect and return lunar surface samples to Earth. This will be India’s first-ever sample return mission, placing it among the elite group of space agencies that have successfully retrieved extraterrestrial material.

Key Highlights of Chandrayaan-4:

First-ever Indian mission to bring back lunar samples.

Two Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) rockets will be used due to the mission’s complexity.

Five-module system to be assembled in Earth’s orbit before heading to the Moon.

9,200 kg total mass, making it ISRO’s heaviest lunar mission.

Advanced docking and propulsion separation mechanisms will be used.

One module will remain on the Moon, while another will return to Earth with samples.

Paves the way for deeper lunar exploration and planetary research.

Mission Overview & Technological Advancements

Chandrayaan-4 is a major step forward from Chandrayaan-3, which successfully landed on the Moon’s south pole in 2023. The 9,200 kg mission is more than twice the weight of its predecessor, necessitating the use of two LVM3 rockets.

These rockets will carry five separate modules into Earth’s orbit, where they will be docked together before heading towards the Moon. Once in lunar orbit, four modules will continue the journey, with two landing on the surface. One of these modules will stay on the Moon, while the other will return to Earth with collected samples.

This complex approach requires advanced docking technology and propulsion separation mechanisms, marking a significant technological milestone for ISRO.

Lunar Sample Collection: A Game-Changer for Scientific Research

The primary goal of Chandrayaan-4 is to bring back lunar samples for further analysis on Earth. This will allow scientists to:

Study the Moon’s geological history by analyzing soil and rock samples.

Understand its thermal evolution to uncover insights about the early solar system.

Compare different geological zones, unlike past missions that focused on a single type of lunar material.

Previously, China’s Chang’e-5 mission collected samples from a geologically young region, while the Apollo and Luna missions retrieved material from older zones. Chandrayaan-4 aims to cover a wider geological diversity, enhancing the scientific understanding of the Moon.

ISRO’s Future Plans: Beyond Chandrayaan-4

ISRO’s lunar exploration doesn’t stop with Chandrayaan-4. The agency has several ambitious missions lined up, including:

LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration Mission) – A collaboration with Japan’s JAXA, featuring a 250 kg rover for advanced exploration.

Venus Mission – To study the planet’s dense atmosphere and geological activity.

Mars Orbiter Mission-2 (Mangalyaan-2) – A follow-up to India’s successful first Mars mission.

Chandrayaan-5 – While details remain undisclosed, ISRO has hinted at another major lunar mission in the near future.

Conclusion: A Bold Step for India’s Space Exploration

Chandrayaan-4 marks a quantum leap in India’s space capabilities, pushing ISRO into the global elite of space agencies. By successfully retrieving and analyzing lunar samples, India will contribute significantly to humanity’s understanding of the Moon’s history and evolution.

With Chandrayaan-4, LUPEX, and upcoming planetary missions, India is setting the stage for deep-space exploration, reinforcing its position as a leading spacefaring nation.

Source @ etvbharat