ISRO's S Somanath On Chandrayaan 4, Gaganyaan Poised For Year-End Launch & Upcoming Projects!

The Union Cabinet has given approval to four significant space missions by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), marking a new era in India’s space exploration. Leading the list is Chandrayaan-4, the next phase of India’s lunar exploration, which aims to bring lunar surface samples back to Earth after a successful soft landing. This mission, slated for a 2027 launch, will build on Chandrayaan-3's technology, incorporating advanced features like lunar docking, precision landing, sample collection, and a safe return to Earth. The Cabinet also green-lit the development of the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), the first unit of India’s indigenous space station, named Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS), as part of the expanded Gaganyaan programme, and the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). A budget of ₹22,750 crore has been allocated for these ambitious projects. Chandrayaan-4, in particular, poses a complex challenge, doubling the size of the satellite and requiring two launches to accommodate the additional modules needed for the mission.