Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Following the remarkable success of Chandrayaan-3, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is embarking on its next lunar exploration endeavour with Chandrayaan-4, marking another significant milestone in India's space exploration journey.
Chandrayaan-4's mission strategy deviates from its predecessor, opting for a dual-phase launch approach to achieve its ambitious objectives. This novel strategy involves the utilization of two distinct launch vehicles.
Chandrayaan-4 comprises five meticulously designed spacecraft modules, each crafted to fulfil specific functions critical to the mission's success.
Serving as the guiding force behind Chandrayaan-4's lunar trajectory, the propulsion module shares similarities with its predecessor, Chandrayaan-3, ensuring precise navigation within the lunar orbit before separating from the main spacecraft.
Tasked with executing a controlled descent and landing onto the lunar surface, akin to the pivotal role played by the Vikram lander in Chandrayaan-3's mission, the descender module stands as a crucial component of Chandrayaan-4.
Upon completion of sample collection and storage, the ascender module will detach from the lunar surface, initiating the return journey to Earth, carrying valuable lunar regolith samples.
Facilitating the retrieval and departure of the ascender module from lunar orbit, the transfer module assumes responsibility for ensuring the safe transit of crucial mission components back to Earth's vicinity.
Serving as the designated carrier for the lunar regolith samples, the re-entry module will undertake the final leg of the journey, re-entering Earth's atmosphere to deliver its precious cargo for further analysis and study.
ISRO's innovative approach to Chandrayaan-4 entails the utilization of two distinct launch vehicles. The initial phase will witness the deployment of the propulsion, descender, and ascender modules using India's formidable heavy-lift launch vehicle, LVM-3. Subsequently, the transfer and re-entry modules will be launched aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), marking a groundbreaking achievement in ISRO's pursuit of advanced space exploration missions.