PM Modi's Cabinet Approves Rs 2,104 Crore for India's Chandrayaan-4 Moon Mission by 2027
PM Modi's cabinet Approves Rs 2,104 Crore for India's Chandrayaan-4 moon Mission by 2027
In a significant move, the Union cabinet has greenlit India's next lunar mission, Chandrayaan-4, with a budget of Rs 2,104 crore, aimed at returning samples from the moon. Following last year's successful landing near the moon's south pole, this mission is set to take place within the next 36 months.
The indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will develop the spacecraft, with funding also covering two launch vehicle missions (LVM3), external deep space network support, and design validation tests necessary for landing and safely returning lunar samples to Earth.
Prime minister Narendra Modi announced the approval on X, expressing pride in the mission's potential to enhance India's self-reliance in space technology and promote innovation. He also highlighted the Cabinet's approval of the initial steps toward establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), which aims for a self-sustained space station by 2035 and a crewed lunar mission by 2040.
This mission is a key step towards ISRO's goal of sending an indian astronaut to the moon by 2040. It involves developing advanced technologies to escape the moon's gravity, orbit it, and safely return to Earth—a challenging endeavor, as noted by isro chairman S. Somanath.
Additionally, isro plans a space-docking experiment, known as SPADEX, involving two mini-satellites in different orbits, aimed at enhancing capabilities for future missions. With ongoing efforts in the Chandrayaan series, india also aspires to establish an indian Space Station by 2035 and achieve another moon landing by 2040, requiring a series of follow-on missions and infrastructure developments.