India is preparing to launch its Chandrayaan-4 mission in 2027, marking a major milestone in the country’s space exploration journey. The mission is designed to collect samples from the Moon and return them to Earth, as confirmed by Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh.
The ambitious project will require at least two launches of the heavy-lift LVM-3 rocket, which will carry five distinct components. These components will be assembled in orbit before heading towards the Moon. This will be India’s first attempt at a sample return mission, further advancing the nation’s capabilities in space research and technology.
“The Chandrayaan-4 mission will collect samples from the Moon’s surface and bring them back to Earth,” Singh said in an interview with PTI Videos.
In addition to Chandrayaan-4, India’s space agency, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), has an action-packed schedule ahead. The much-awaited Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit and bring them back safely, is set for launch next year. Prior to this, the first uncrewed test mission featuring the humanoid robot ‘Vyommitra’ is scheduled for later this year.
In 2026, India will embark on another groundbreaking initiative: the Samudrayaan mission. This mission will send three scientists to a depth of 6,000 meters in the deep ocean aboard a specially designed submersible to explore the seabed, potentially revealing valuable mineral resources, rare metals, and undiscovered marine biodiversity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of Samudrayaan during his Independence Day speech, emphasizing its potential to positively impact India’s economy and environmental sustainability. Over the past decade, India’s space sector has seen remarkable growth, driven by infrastructure development and increased private sector involvement. Although ISRO was founded in 1969, it took more than two decades to establish its first launch pad in 1993, followed by a second in 2004. The last ten years, however, have seen rapid advancements, including the construction of a third launch pad for heavier rockets and a new small satellite launch facility in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin district.
India’s space economy, currently valued at $8 billion, is expected to soar to $44 billion within the next decade.
