Chandrayaan-4 Mission

3.Chandrayaan-4 Mission: The ministry of Science & Technology, GOI, recently stated that the Chandrayaan-4 mission will be launched in 2027.

• About Chandrayaan-4 Mission: Objective to bring back undamaged and uncontaminated lunar samples.
• Launch Vehicle: At least two LVM-3 rockets carrying five mission components, assembled in orbit.
• ISRO Vision: Part of PM Modi’s Space Vision 2047, which includes Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 → Indian Moon landing by 2040.
• Previous Chandrayaan Missions like Chandrayaan-1 (2008) & Chandrayaan-2 (2019): Studied lunar surface, sub-surface & exosphere.

oChandrayaan-3 (2023): First-ever successful soft landing & robotic exploration in the Southern part of the moon.

Objectives of Chandrayaan-3: To demonstrate Safe and Soft Landing on Lunar Surface, to demonstrate Rover roving on the moon and to conduct in-situ scientific experiments.

• Other Space Missions:

oGaganyaan Mission (2026): Objective to send Indian astronauts to low-earth orbit and return safely, first Uncrewed Mission carrying Vyommitra (female robot astronaut) in 2024.

oSamudrayaan Mission (2026): Objective to carry three scientists in a submersible to 6,000m depth in the deep ocean.

üDevelopments: NIOT Chennai developed 6,000m depth-rated ROV & underwater instruments.

• ISRO’s Infrastructure & Expansion: Launch Pads- First Launch Pad (1993) → Second Launch Pad (2004) → Third Launch Pad (Upcoming) for heavier rockets.

oNew Launch Site: Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, for small satellite launches.

• India’s Space Economy & Growth: Current Valuation of $8 billion, and projected Valuation (Next Decade) upto $44 billion.