The Indian government has confirmed that the Chandrayaan-4 mission, aimed at bringing back uncontaminated lunar samples, is scheduled for launch in 2027. Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh made the announcement on Thursday, outlining India’s next big step in lunar exploration.
India’s Expanding Lunar Ambitions
India has previously launched three lunar missions under the Chandrayaan series in 2008, 2019, and 2023. While the first two missions primarily studied the Moon’s surface, subsurface, and exosphere using orbiters, Chandrayaan-3 marked India’s first successful soft landing and robotic exploration in the lunar south pole region. The mission also conducted in-situ studies of the Moon’s surface and recorded, for the first time, ground vibrations in the region.
Building on these achievements, Chandrayaan-4 is set to be India’s most ambitious lunar mission yet, featuring at least two separate launches of the heavy-lift LVM-3 rocket. These launches will carry five key mission components, which will be assembled in orbit before heading toward the Moon.
“The Chandrayaan-4 mission aims to collect samples from the Moon’s surface and bring them back to Earth,” Singh stated in an interview with PTI Videos.
Government’s Vision for Space Exploration
The Union Cabinet had previously approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission, alongside the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), in September last year. VOM, scheduled for launch in March 2028, will explore Venus’ surface and atmosphere.
These missions are part of India’s broader space vision under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Space Vision 2047. The long-term plan includes launching the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and an Indian crewed Moon landing by 2040.
Other Major Upcoming Missions
Apart from Chandrayaan-4, India is also preparing to launch two significant missions—Gaganyaan and Samudrayaan—in 2026. The Gaganyaan mission will send Indian astronauts to low-Earth orbit and return them safely, marking India’s entry into human spaceflight. Meanwhile, Samudrayaan will deploy a manned submersible carrying three scientists to a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean to explore critical mineral resources and marine biodiversity.
Before Gaganyaan’s official crewed launch, an uncrewed test mission carrying Vyommitra, a female robot astronaut designed to simulate human functions in space, is expected to take place later this year.
India’s Growing Space Economy and Infrastructure
Jitendra Singh highlighted India’s rapid advancements in space infrastructure, noting that the country is building a third launch pad for heavier rockets. Additionally, a new launch site in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin district is being developed to support the growing demand for satellite launches.
India’s space economy, currently valued at $8 billion, is projected to grow to $44 billion in the next decade. The government’s push for private sector participation and international collaborations has significantly boosted innovation and investment in the sector.
Confidence in ISRO’s Capabilities
Experts believe that the success of previous Chandrayaan missions has bolstered ISRO’s confidence in undertaking more ambitious projects within shorter timelines.
“With ISRO’s consistent track record of successes, advancing timelines reflects their growing expertise and confidence. If ISRO says they will launch Chandrayaan-4, they will do it,” said Aniket Sule, an associate professor of astronomy at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, affiliated with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
As India continues to push boundaries in space exploration, the Chandrayaan-4 mission is expected to mark another significant milestone, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading global space power.
Sources By Agencies
