Chandrayaan-4 Approved: India's Moon Sample Return Mission

The Chandrayaan-4 mission, led by ISRO, aims to demonstrate technology to return to Earth after moon landing and collect and analyze lunar samples on Earth. It builds on the success of Chandrayaan-3's soft landing and is a foundational step towards Indian moon landing by 2040.

Mission Overview and Objectives

Cabinet approves Chandrayaan-4 mission, led by ISRO
Aim: Demonstrate technology to return to Earth after moon landing
Collect and analyze lunar samples on Earth
Part of India's expanded space vision for Amrit Kaal
Foundational step towards Indian moon landing by 2040
Builds on success of Chandrayaan-3's soft landing

Key Technologies and Capabilities

Develop critical technologies for:

- Docking and undocking
- Safe landing on the moon
- Secure return to Earth
- Lunar sample collection and analysis
All critical technologies to be indigenously developed
Involvement of Indian industry and academia
Establish facilities for curation and analysis of returned samples

Mission Details and Timeline

ISRO responsible for spacecraft development and launch
Expected completion within 36 months of approval
Plan to associate academia through science meets and workshops
Total budget allocation: Rs. 2104.06 Crore

Includes:

- Spacecraft development and realization
- Two LVM3 launch vehicle missions
- External deep space network support
- Special tests for design validation

Broader Vision and Impact

Part of India's expanded space program vision:
- Indian Space Station (Bharatiya Antariksh Station) by 2035
- Indian moon landing by 2040
Follows series of Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan missions
Aims to make India self-sufficient in manned missions and lunar exploration
Potential for high employment generation
Technology spin-offs to other economic sectors
Positions India among few nations with lunar sample return capability

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