India is preparing to launch Chandrayaan-4 in 2027, with the aim of bringing back moon rock samples to Earth. This mission will be one of the most advanced space projects undertaken by the country.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that Chandrayaan-4 will be a very advanced mission. It will need at least two rocket launches using the LVM-3 rocket. These rockets will carry five different parts of the mission, and these parts will be put together in space before the mission continues.

“The Chandrayaan-4 mission aims to collect samples from the moon’s surface and bring them back to the Earth,” Mr. Singh told PTI Videos in an interview. Bringing lunar samples back to Earth will help scientists study the moon’s composition in more detail.

India’s growing space ambitions

Apart from Chandrayaan-4, India is also planning to launch two other major missions in the coming years:

  1. Gaganyaan Mission (2025): This project involves sending Indian astronauts into space in a specially designed spacecraft and bringing them back safely. The first uncrewed mission, which will carry a robot named Vyommitra, is scheduled to take place this year.
  2. Samudrayaan Mission (2026): This deep-sea mission will take three scientists in a submersible to a depth of 6,000 meters to explore the ocean floor. The mission could help discover valuable minerals, rare metals, and marine biodiversity that could benefit India's economy and environment.

Mr. Singh also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the importance of the Samudrayaan mission in his Independence Day speech.

India's space research has made big progress in the last ten years.

  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was set up in 1969. But it took over 20 years to build its first launch pad, which was finished in 1993. Another launch pad was built in 2004, after ten more years.
  • Now, ISRO is building a third launch pad. They are also working on a new spaceport in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin district to launch small satellites.
  • The Indian space economy is currently worth $8 billion, and it is expected to grow to $44 billion in the next ten years.

Mr. Singh talked about how recent changes have encouraged private companies to join space projects. This has led to more new ideas, more investments, and better international cooperation.

 “With new infrastructure, increased private participation, and record-breaking investments, India is poised for even greater achievements in the years to come,” he said.

The launch of Chandrayaan-4 in 2027 marks another major step for India’s space exploration journey. Along with the Gaganyaan and Samudrayaan missions, India is positioning itself as a global leader in space technology. These projects will not only boost scientific research but also contribute to the country's economic growth and international standing in space exploration. 

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