Chandrayaan-4 (pronunciationⓘ; from Sanskrit: Chandra, "Moon" and yāna, "craft, vehicle") is a planned lunar sample return mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the fourth iteration in its Chandrayaan lunar exploration programme.[1][2] The mission is currently under conceptualisation and expected to launch around 2028.[3]
Mission type | lunar sample return |
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Operator | ISRO |
Spacecraft properties | |
Bus | Chandrayaan |
Manufacturer | ISRO |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | NET 2028 |
Rocket | 2 x LVM3 |
Launch site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre |
Contractor | ISRO |
End of mission | |
Landing date | NET 2028 |
Landing site | Near Shiv Shakti Point |
The plan for a lunar sample return mission was revealed by the director of Space Application Centre (SAC), Nilesh M Desai on 17 November, 2023 during the during the 62nd foundation ceremony of IITMinPune.[4] This was confirmed by S. Somanath, the chairman of ISRO during the National Space Science Symposium held in Goa on 26 February, 2024.[5] He said that the mission is extremely challenging as it incorporates multiple launches, docking capability and robotic capability. He expressed the confidence buildup over the success of 'hop' operation of the lander and Earth return operation performed by the propulsion module of Chandrayaan-3.[5][6] After the launch of INSAT-3DS, the chairman stated the insufficiency of the rocket capability leading to a 'novel design' for this mission and the secretary of the Department of Space (DoS) said that the mission incorporates 'high-end technology' and it is pending government approval for him to have a final word.[1][7] Somanath stated that the mission demands docking capability both in Earth and lunar orbits and the agency is planning to demonstrate this capability through Space Docking Experiment (Spadex) which is slated for launch by year end.[2][8]
The aim of the mission is to collect samples from the lunar surface and return back the samples safely to Earth for scientific studies. The objectives of this mission are:
The mission will be launched in two phases onboard two LVM3 rockets. The spacecraft will have five modules packed into two composites which are launched seperately. The lander module with the ascender module attached on its top and supported by a propulsion module beneath it will be a single composite, while the transfer module along with the re-entry module will be another composite. The spacecraft will get assembled into an integrated module by docking in Earth orbit before proceeding to the Moon.[5][2][9]
Apart from the propulsion module, the transfer module is also equipped with an onboard Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) for return operation maneuvers including the trans-Earth injection. As per earlier reports, the lander module will have six throattleable landing thrusters capable of producing 800 newtons of thrust each, while the ascender module will have two lift off thrusters capable of producing 800 newtons of fixed thrust each.[12] The integrated assembly of all modules after docking in Earth orbit is expected to weigh atleast 6,727 kg (14,830 lb).[12]
The landing site is planned near to Statio Shiv Shakti, the landing site of Chandrayaan-3 which is located between the Manzinus P and Boguslawsky M lunar craters near to the south pole region.[13][14] ISRO had conducted comprehensive study of this landing site region regarding morphology, hydration and gravity anomalies using data obtained from payloads of Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), Lunar Prospector and GRAIL.[15][16]
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