Produced by: Tarun Mishra
ISRO's upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission aims to retrieve lunar rocks and soils, with a planned landing near the Shiv Shakti Point on the Moon's surface, said Nilesh Desai, Director of the Space Applications Centre (SAC).
According to a report by India Today, the Shiv Shakti Point, where Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander touched down, holds scientific importance due to its proximity to the Moon's south pole and potential water ice deposits in permanently shadowed regions.
The mission's operational period is limited to one lunar day, equivalent to approximately 14 Earth days, due to harsh lunar surface conditions.
Chandrayaan-4 involves multiple launches and spacecraft modules, including the heavy-lift LVM-3 and the PSLV rockets, marking a first for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The mission aims to collect lunar samples for scientific analysis, with India aspiring to become the fourth nation to achieve this feat after the US, Russia, and China.
Chandrayaan-4 will consist of five modules, including propulsion, descender, ascender, transfer, and re-entry modules, facilitating sample collection and return to Earth.
The rugged terrain and steep slopes near the Shiv Shakti Point pose landing challenges, necessitating precise techniques and navigation systems for a successful touchdown.
India seeks to advance its lunar exploration program and contribute to global scientific knowledge regarding the Moon's composition, formation, and potential resources through Chandrayaan-4.
By retrieving lunar samples and conducting detailed analysis, Chandrayaan-4 aims to enhance understanding of lunar science and pave the way for future space exploration endeavours.