Chandrayaan-4 Mission: ISRO's Next Phase In Space Exploration Aims To Retrieve Lunar Samples

After the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for a remarkable leap in space exploration with the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission.

What sets Chandrayaan-4 apart is its groundbreaking goal of bringing lunar samples back to Earth, a milestone that would mark a significant achievement in India's space endeavours.

Nilesh Desai, Director of the Space Applications Centre (SAC/ISRO), shared insights into the Chandrayaan-4 mission during a recent address to the Indian Tropical Meteorology Institute.

As reported by The Economic Times, the mission's key objective is to collect samples from the lunar surface, a task that involves intricate manoeuvres and advanced space technology.

The spacecraft will embark on a journey to the moon, where it will land, collect samples, and then connect to another module in space.

The second module will return to Earth orbit, with both modules eventually separating as they approach Earth.

One part will return to Earth, while the other continues to orbit the planet.

To execute the mission successfully, Desai outlined the need for two launch vehicles containing four modules: transfer module (TM), lander module (LM), ascender module, and re-entry module (RM).

The RM and TM would be parked in lunar orbit, while two descend, allowing the ascender module to separate from the lander module and collect the lunar sample.

However, the success of Chandrayaan-4 hinges on its ability to bring lunar samples back to Earth, a task requiring two powerful rockets for the cargo carrying the samples.

The feasibility of the mission is yet to be confirmed by ISRO.