Chandrayaan-4

Chandrayaan-4

Chandrayaan-4 Integrated Module' The LAM of transfer module seen on top and its re-entry cone is shown in golden brown. The ascender-lander-propulsion modules are seen beneath it in downward succession
Mission type	lunar sample return
Operator	ISRO
Spacecraft properties
Bus	Chandrayaan
Manufacturer	ISRO
Start of mission
Launch date	2027
Rocket	2 x LVM3
Launch site	Satish Dhawan Space Centre
Contractor	ISRO
End of mission
Landing date	2027
Landing site	Near Statio Shiv Shakti
Chandrayaan programme ← Chandrayaan-3

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 conceptualization and expected to launch around 2027.^[3]

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 62nd foundation ceremony of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune.^[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]

On 20 August 2024, S Somanath announced that ISRO had finished designing Chandrayaan-4, and LUPEX which is now designated as Chandrayaan-5.^[9][10] ISRO is now requesting for government approval.^[11]

On 18 September 2024, Chandrayaan-4 received approval from The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ₹2,104.06 crore (US$250 million) and is expected to be completed within 36 months.^[12][13] The mission will have five modules that will be carried to space on two different launches. The mission is designed to land on the lunar surface, collect samples, store them in a vacuum container, and bring them back. The mission will also see docking and undocking — two spacecraft aligning and coming together in orbit.^[14][15]

The aim of the mission is to collect samples from the lunar surface and bring the samples safely to Earth for scientific studies. The objectives of this mission are:

1. To perform safe and soft landing on lunar surface.
2. To demonstrate lunar sample collection and containerization.
3. To demonstrate ascend from the Moon's surface.
4. To demonstrate docking and undocking in lunar orbit.
5. To demonstrate transfer of samples from one module to other.
6. To demonstrate return and re-entry to Earth for sample delivery.^[5]

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 separately. 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][16]

• Propulsion Module is similar to the propulsion module on Chandrayaan-3. It will ferry the combined modular spacecraft to the moon.^[17][18][3]
• Lander Module will land on the Moon with instrumentation. It supports the ascend stage along with the soil sampling instrumentation. It is designed to last 1 lunar day or 14 earth days on the moon.^[17][18][3]
• Ascender Module will eject from the lander and would launch from the Moon using the lander as a launch pad after the samples from the Moon are collected and stored. It will then enter low-lunar orbit.^[17][18][3]
• Transfer Module will collect the samples from the ascend stage, transfer them to the re-entry module, fire its engine to set both itself and the re-entry module towards Earth, release the payload and loop back around the Earth.^[17][18][3]
• Re-entry Module will hold the sample from lunar orbit. It is designed to survive atmospheric re-entry and land with the lunar regoliths.^[17][18][3]

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.^[19] The integrated assembly of all modules after docking in Earth orbit is expected to weigh at least 6,727 kg (14,830 lb).^[19]

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.^[20][21] 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.^[22][23]

• Chandrayaan Programme
• List of missions to the Moon
• Lunar Polar Exploration Mission
• Lunar surface mission

• v
• t
• e

Indian space programme

• Department of Space (DoS)

Organisations

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Antrix Corporation
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST)
• Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS)
• National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL)
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
• Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
• Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU)
• Integrated Space Cell
• Defence Space Agency
• Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN–SPACe)

Programmes

• Bhaskara
• GAGAN
• GSAT
• INSAT
• IRNSS
• IRS
  • Cartosat
• RISAT
• Rohini
• SROSS
• Chandrayaan
• Human Spaceflight Programme

Satellites

• APPLE
• Aryabhata
• HAMSAT
• IMS-1
• Megha-Tropiques
• NISAR
• SARAL
• South Asia Satellite
• Kalpana-1

Space observatories

• Astrosat
• Aditya-L1
• XPoSat
• AstroSat-2 (proposed)

Lunar and
planetary spacecraft

• Chandrayaan-1
  • Moon Impact Probe
• Chandrayaan-2
  • Vikram lander
  • Pragyan rover
• Chandrayaan-3
  • Vikram lander
  • Pragyan rover
• Chandrayaan-4 (upcoming)
• Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (proposed)
• Mars Orbiter Mission
• Mars Orbiter Mission 2 (proposed)
• Venus Orbiter Mission (proposed)

Human spaceflight

• Indian human spaceflight programme
  • SRE-1
  • SRE-II
• Gaganyaan
  • CARE
• ISRO Space Station (proposed)

Launch vehicles

Active	Orbital PSLV Launches GSLV Launches LVM3 SSLV Suborbital Rohini ATV
In development	RLV Technology Demonstration Programme NGLV
Retired	SLV ASLV

Engines

Active	CE-7.5 CE-20 Vikas
In development	SCE-200

Spaceports

• Satish Dhawan Space Centre
• Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station

• under development
  • Kulasekharapatnam Spaceport

Research facilities

• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
• U R Rao Satellite Centre
• Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
• ISRO Propulsion Complex
• Space Applications Centre
• ISRO Inertial Systems Unit
• Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems
• Human Space Flight Centre
• Development and Educational Communication Unit

Communications

• Indian Deep Space Network
• Indian Space Science Data Centre
• ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network
• Master Control Facility
• National Remote Sensing Centre

Legislation and policy

• Space Activities Bill

Private companies

• Pixxel
• Skyroot Aerospace
• Sisir Radar
• Satellize
• AgniKul Cosmos
• Dhruva Space
• Bellatrix Aerospace
• TeamIndus

Related

• National Space Day
• SAGA-220 (supercomputer)
• Statio Shiv Shakti
• RESPOND

• List of Indian satellites
• List of Satish Dhawan Space Centre launches
• List of ISRO missions
• List of ISRO chairpersons