Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit the Chandrayaan-4 mission, aimed at advancing lunar exploration with a focus on sample collection and return technologies.
Following the historic success of Chandrayaan-3’s soft lunar landing, Chandrayaan-4 will further develop technologies essential for lunar docking, sample collection, and safe return to Earth.
The mission has been allocated a budget of Rs 2,104.06 crore ($253 million) and will be a significant step in strengthening India’s space program.
Led by ISRO, Chandrayaan-4 is expected to be completed within 36 months, with substantial involvement from Indian industries and academic institutions.
The Cabinet has also approved the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), with a budget of Rs 1,236 crore ($149 million). Scheduled for launch in March 2028, VOM will study Venus’s atmosphere and surface evolution.
The government has given the go-ahead for the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1), slated for launch in 2028. This marks a major milestone in India’s space station aspirations.
The Gaganyaan programme has received a funding boost of Rs 11,170 crore, bringing the total to Rs 20,193 crore. This will support eight missions by 2028, including manned space missions and the BAS-1 launch.
India’s space goals include establishing a space station by 2035 and conducting a crewed lunar landing by 2040. Chandrayaan-4 will play a key role in validating technologies for these future missions.