_2024.jpg)
Community hub
Recent from talks
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Chandrayaan-4
Chandrayaan-4 (ⓘ; from Sanskrit: Chandra, "Moon" and yāna, "craft, vehicle") is a planned lunar sample return mission of ISRO and the fourth iteration in its Chandrayaan programme. As of January 2025, the conceptualisation phase has been completed, and the design phase is nearing completion. The mission is expected to launch around 2027. It is planned to return up to 3 kg (6.6 lb) of lunar regolith from near Shiv Shakti point, the landing site of Chandrayaan-3.
The plan for a lunar sample return mission was revealed by the director of the Space Application Centre (SAC), Nilesh M Desai on 17 November, 2023 during the 62nd foundation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune. This was confirmed by S. Somanath, the then chairman of ISRO, during the National Space Science Symposium held in Goa on 26 February 2024. He said that the mission is extremely challenging as it incorporates multiple launches, docking capability and robotic capability. He expressed the confidence buildup over the success of 'hop' operation of the lander and Earth return operation performed by the propulsion module of Chandrayaan-3. After the launch of INSAT-3DS, the chairman stated the insufficiency of the rocket capability leading to a 'novel design' for this mission and the secretary of the Department of Space (DoS) said that the mission incorporates 'high-end technology' and it is pending government approval for him to have a final word. Somanath stated that the mission demands docking capability both in Earth and lunar orbits and the agency is planning to demonstrate this capability through Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) which is slated for launch by year end.
On 20 August 2024, S. Somanath announced that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had completed the design of both Chandrayaan-4 and LUPEX, and is now requesting approval from the government.
On 13 February 2025, the Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh Rana, stated in the Rajya Sabha that Chandrayaan-4 will be a foundational mission that will validate key technologies needed for a crewed lunar landing in 2040. As of February 2025, ISRO is developing a number of subsystems, such as robotic arms for sample collection, specialized payloads, and a high-capacity propulsion system. ISRO organised a research meet in April 2025 to deliberate on the scientific research that can be conducted with the lunar regolith within India.
On 18 September 2024, Chandrayaan-4 received approval from the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ₹2,104.06 crore (US$250 million) and is expected to be completed within 36 months. The mission will have five modules that will be carried to space on two different launches. The mission is designed to land on the lunar surface, collect samples, store them in a vacuum-sealed container, and return them to Earth. The mission will also see docking and undocking — two spacecraft aligning and coming together in orbit.
The aim of the mission is to collect samples from the lunar surface and bring the samples safely to Earth for scientific studies. The objectives of this mission are:
The mission will be launched in two phases onboard two LVM3 rockets developed by ISRO. The spacecraft will include five modules packed into two composites, which will be launched separately, using two separate LVM 3 launch vehicles.
The first launch is planned to carry the ascender module and descender module. The second launch would carry the transfer module, re-entry module, and propulsion module.
Hub AI
Chandrayaan-4 AI simulator
(@Chandrayaan-4_simulator)
Chandrayaan-4
Chandrayaan-4 (ⓘ; from Sanskrit: Chandra, "Moon" and yāna, "craft, vehicle") is a planned lunar sample return mission of ISRO and the fourth iteration in its Chandrayaan programme. As of January 2025, the conceptualisation phase has been completed, and the design phase is nearing completion. The mission is expected to launch around 2027. It is planned to return up to 3 kg (6.6 lb) of lunar regolith from near Shiv Shakti point, the landing site of Chandrayaan-3.
The plan for a lunar sample return mission was revealed by the director of the Space Application Centre (SAC), Nilesh M Desai on 17 November, 2023 during the 62nd foundation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune. This was confirmed by S. Somanath, the then chairman of ISRO, during the National Space Science Symposium held in Goa on 26 February 2024. He said that the mission is extremely challenging as it incorporates multiple launches, docking capability and robotic capability. He expressed the confidence buildup over the success of 'hop' operation of the lander and Earth return operation performed by the propulsion module of Chandrayaan-3. After the launch of INSAT-3DS, the chairman stated the insufficiency of the rocket capability leading to a 'novel design' for this mission and the secretary of the Department of Space (DoS) said that the mission incorporates 'high-end technology' and it is pending government approval for him to have a final word. Somanath stated that the mission demands docking capability both in Earth and lunar orbits and the agency is planning to demonstrate this capability through Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) which is slated for launch by year end.
On 20 August 2024, S. Somanath announced that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had completed the design of both Chandrayaan-4 and LUPEX, and is now requesting approval from the government.
On 13 February 2025, the Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh Rana, stated in the Rajya Sabha that Chandrayaan-4 will be a foundational mission that will validate key technologies needed for a crewed lunar landing in 2040. As of February 2025, ISRO is developing a number of subsystems, such as robotic arms for sample collection, specialized payloads, and a high-capacity propulsion system. ISRO organised a research meet in April 2025 to deliberate on the scientific research that can be conducted with the lunar regolith within India.
On 18 September 2024, Chandrayaan-4 received approval from the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ₹2,104.06 crore (US$250 million) and is expected to be completed within 36 months. The mission will have five modules that will be carried to space on two different launches. The mission is designed to land on the lunar surface, collect samples, store them in a vacuum-sealed container, and return them to Earth. The mission will also see docking and undocking — two spacecraft aligning and coming together in orbit.
The aim of the mission is to collect samples from the lunar surface and bring the samples safely to Earth for scientific studies. The objectives of this mission are:
The mission will be launched in two phases onboard two LVM3 rockets developed by ISRO. The spacecraft will include five modules packed into two composites, which will be launched separately, using two separate LVM 3 launch vehicles.
The first launch is planned to carry the ascender module and descender module. The second launch would carry the transfer module, re-entry module, and propulsion module.