Centre approves Chandrayaan-5: India, Japan to collaborate on the mission
What's the story
The Indian government has officially greenlit the ambitious Chandrayaan-5 mission for lunar exploration. V Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), announced this development on March 16. Unlike its predecessor, the Chandrayaan-3 which carried a 25kg rover named 'Pragyan,' the upcoming mission will carry a more powerful 250kg rover for detailed study of the Moon's surface. "Just three days back we got the approval for Chandrayaan-5 Mission. We will be doing it in association with Japan," Narayanan said.
Mission history
Chandrayaan missions: A journey through lunar exploration
The Chandrayaan program has been the bedrock of India's lunar exploration. The first mission, Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, successfully performed chemical, mineralogical and photo-geologic mapping of the Moon. Its successor, Chandrayaan-2 (2019), achieved 98% success despite facing hurdles in its final stages. Currently, the Chandrayaan-3 mission is operational which landed on the Moon's South Pole on August 23, 2023.
Upcoming missions
Future plans: Chandrayaan-4 and beyond
Looking ahead, ISRO has ambitious plans for future lunar missions. The upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission, which is scheduled to be launched in 2027, will collect and return samples from the Moon. Narayanan also revealed that ISRO is planning a range of future projects including Gaganyaan and the establishment of India's own space station - Bharatiya Antariksha Station. These initiatives highlight India's commitment to expanding its presence in space exploration.