TV
India's ambitious strides in space exploration continue as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for its next major space endeavour, Chandrayaan-4, which aims to collect lunar surface samples and return them to Earth. This groundbreaking endeavour aims to safely return samples from the Moon to Earth, marking a notable first for India's space agency.
This ambitious mission was disclosed by ISRO's Chairman, Dr V. Narayanan, during a visit to the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) in Bhubaneswar. Chandrayaan-4 will involve landing on the Moon, collecting samples, and returning them to Earth, thereby enhancing our understanding of lunar geology and potentially aiding in future space missions.
New Ventures in Space Exploration
Chandrayaan-4 will set the stage for an enhanced understanding of the Moon, as scientists anticipate analysing the samples it returns. The mission signifies a crucial step for India in lunar research, showcasing the nation's growing space capabilities.
Following this, ISRO is also collaborating with Japan for Chandrayaan-5. Dr Narayanan highlighted that Chandrayaan-5 is expected to be a more extensive mission compared to its predecessors. Notably, the total launch weight for Chandrayaan-5 will rise to 6,400 kilograms, a marked increase from Chandrayaan-3's 5,000 kilograms.
Extending Mission Lifespans
A significant enhancement includes the planned operational lifespan of the Chandrayaan-5 rover, which will weigh 350 kilograms—much more than the 25 kilograms of the previous rover. This new phase will allow for a mission duration extended from a mere 14 days to a full 100 days, enabling a more detailed exploration of the lunar surface.
“Right now, we are working on Chandrayaan 4 after Chandrayaan 3 made a soft landing near the south pole of Moon and brought glory to our nation. Chandrayaan 4 is a sample retain mission. We are going to land, take sample and bring it back to Earth,” informed the ISRO Chief.
“We are also simultaneously working on the Chandrayaan 5 mission. It is a collaborative mission with JAXA, space agency of Japan. This time, the rover is going to be 350kg and its life will be around 100 days,” the ISRO chief added.
“The advancements we are making with each mission highlight India's growing capabilities in space exploration,” Dr Narayanan remarked during his speech at the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) in Odisha.
