Synopsis
The Indian government has approved the Chandrayaan-5 mission, which will deploy a 250 kg rover to the lunar surface. This initiative marks a significant step in India's lunar exploration, following the success of Chandrayaan-3.Key Takeaways
- Chandrayaan-5 approved for a 250 kg lunar rover.
- Collaboration with Japan to enhance scientific research.
- Continues the legacy of the Chandrayaan program.
- Chandrayaan-3 made a historic soft landing.
- Future missions aim for a $44 billion space sector by 2035.
New Delhi, March 17 (NationPress) The Central government has given its approval for the Chandrayaan-5 mission, which will deploy an impressive 250 kg rover on the lunar surface, according to V Narayanan, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). This mission marks the fifth installment of the Chandrayaan program, also known as the Indian Lunar Exploration Programme, aimed at uncovering the mysteries of the Moon.
The previous mission, Chandrayaan-3, achieved remarkable success, making India the first nation globally to accomplish a soft landing on the Moon's South Pole. India also joined the ranks of the fourth country, following the former USSR (now Russia), the US, and China, to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface.
While Chandrayaan-3 carried a smaller rover, weighing 25 kg and named ‘Prayagyaan,’ the upcoming Chandrayaan-5 mission, in collaboration with Japan, will introduce a significantly larger 250-kg rover.
“This advanced rover aims to conduct comprehensive studies of the Moon’s surface and its composition,” stated Narayanan.
“Just three days ago, we received the green light for the Chandrayaan-5 mission. We will execute this mission in partnership with Japan.” This collaboration is anticipated to boost the scientific capabilities of the mission.
The Chandrayaan program has played a crucial role in India's lunar exploration efforts, comprising a lunar orbiter, an impactor, a soft lander, and a rover spacecraft.
Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, was a significant success, successfully mapping the Moon's surface chemically, mineralogically, and photo-geologically.
Conversely, Chandrayaan-2, launched in 2019, faced challenges during its final stages; however, its orbiter continues to provide hundreds of high-resolution images.
ISRO aims to launch Chandrayaan-4 by 2027 to gather and return lunar samples.
Additionally, the agency plans to launch Chandrayaan 5 and 6 in the next decade, aspiring to achieve a milestone of a $44 billion space sector by 2035. Beyond the Chandrayaan missions, the country is also focused on the Gaganyaan Mission—its inaugural human spaceflight mission—as well as the Venus Orbiter Mission, informally known as Shukrayaan, set for 2028.
India is also aiming to establish an Indian Space Station by 2035 and to land an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2045.
