Chandrayaan-4, ISRO's Moon sample-return mission, set for 2028
What's the story
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for a busy phase with seven more launches planned for the current fiscal year. The announcement was made by ISRO Chairman V Narayanan in an interview with PTI. The upcoming launches will include a commercial communication satellite and several PSLV and GSLV missions. Notably, one of these missions will be the first-ever PSLV entirely built by the Indian industry.
Lunar exploration
Chandrayaan-4 mission to be India's most complex lunar endeavor
The ISRO Chairman also confirmed that the government has approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission. This will be a lunar sample-return mission and is expected to be India's most complex lunar endeavor yet. "We are targeting 2028 for Chandrayaan-4," Narayanan said. The mission will attempt to bring back samples from the Moon, a feat only accomplished by the US, Russia, and China so far.
Production boost
ISRO to triple spacecraft production in 3 years
To meet the increasing demand for missions, ISRO is also looking to triple its annual spacecraft production over the next three years. The move comes as part of a broader strategy to scale up science, technology, and industry capacity at the organization. This ambitious target reflects ISRO's commitment to keeping pace with global space exploration trends and expanding India's footprint in outer space.
Space station
India space station set to be operational by 2035
ISRO has also started work on an Indian Space Station, which is expected to be completed by 2035. The first of the five modules will be placed in orbit by 2028, Narayanan said. This ambitious project would make India the third major nation after the US and China to operate a space station.
Mission update
Gaganyaan mission timeline clarified by ISRO Chairman
On India's first human-spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, Narayanan clarified that only the schedule for uncrewed missions has changed. "Let me make it clear: the uncrewed mission was targeted for 2025. The crewed mission was always planned for 2027, and we are holding on to that date," he said. Three uncrewed test missions will precede the first flight with Indian astronauts.
Lunar ambitions
India aims for lunar landing by 2040
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also asked ISRO to send Indian astronauts to the Moon and back safely by 2040. This long-term human-spaceflight plan now matches those of other space-faring nations such as the US and China. The US plans lunar crewed missions under Artemis, while China hopes to achieve its first crewed moon landing by 2030.