ISRO’s Chandrayaan-4 Approved | India to Bring Moon Samples to Earth

Chandrayaan-4 Mission Gets Green Signal: India’s Next Big Leap in Space

India has taken another giant step in space exploration. The Union Cabinet has officially approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission, giving ISRO the green light to begin preparations for its most ambitious lunar project yet. After the historic success of Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first nation to land on the Moon’s south pole, Chandrayaan-4 is set to achieve an even greater milestone – bringing back samples from the lunar surface.

Mission Objective

The primary goal of Chandrayaan-4 is to collect 2–3 kilograms of lunar soil and rock samples and safely bring them back to Earth. These samples will provide Indian and global scientists with valuable insights into the Moon’s geology, mineral resources, and potential for future human exploration.

Key Features and Challenges

• Multiple Launch Vehicles: The mission will require at least two launch vehicles, as it consists of five separate modules that will dock in space.
• Robotic Arm and Sample Handling: ISRO will use advanced robotic systems to pick up lunar samples, store them in vacuum-sealed containers, and transfer them safely.
• Space Docking Technology: For the first time, India will test docking and undocking modules in lunar orbit – a critical step toward future manned space missions.

Timeline and Budget

The Chandrayaan-4 mission has been allocated a budget of nearly ₹2,100 crore. ISRO plans to complete the mission within the next 36 months. This makes it one of the most challenging and high-investment projects in India’s space history.

Why Chandrayaan-4 Matters

This mission is not just about science; it is about India’s future in space leadership. By mastering sample-return technology, ISRO will prepare the foundation for:

• Future manned lunar missions by 2040
• Building an Indian space station
• Contributing to international collaborations in deep space exploration

With Chandrayaan-4, India aims to move from “exploring the Moon” to actually bringing the Moon to Earth.