Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 mission is a major success. It garnered global recognition for India's space programme. Now, following in its footsteps, the Government of India has approved Chandrayaan-4. The new Moon mission aims for a successful return to the Earth's surface from the Moon while collecting the lunar samples.
"This Chandrayaan-4 mission will achieve the foundational technologies capabilities eventually for an Indian landing on the moon (planned by the year 2040) and return safely back to Earth," the government stated.
According to the reports, the Moon mission is expected to cost around ₹2104.06 crore. The space organization will demonstrate technologies required for docking/undocking, landing and safe return to Earth.
According to a press release, "A natural successor to the successful landing mission is the demonstration of the ability to collect Lunar Samples and return them safely back to Earth."
Indigenous development of the spacecraft
ISRO has taken the responsibility to create all the technologies required in the development of the spacecraft to achieve the desired goals. Every single technology is expected to be developed within the country using local resources and capabilities.
This will ensure that India is self-sufficient in developing the necessary technologies required for manned space missions, lunar sample return and scientific analysis of Lunar samples.
Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan
India's plans for the space missions are flourishing. But to achieve the desired aim to set up the Indian Space Station (Bharatiya Antariksh Station) by 2035 and Indian Landing on the Moon by 2040, the country will require a series of Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan missions.
Ganganyaan is a crewed space mission of ISRO aimed towards sending astronauts for space exploration, making India the fourth country to do so after the USA, China and Russia.
The Chandrayan-3 has already hinted at the arrival of India in Space research and the success of Bhartiya Antariksh Station and Chandrayaan-4 will strengthen the position of India at the global level.
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