Chandrayaan-4 to Bring Lunar Samples, Launch Scheduled for 2028

On 16 November, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans seven more launches in this fiscal year. India’s first manned spacecraft is also on track to be sent in 2027 as per the pre-determined schedule. ISRO is preparing to expand its capabilities in science, technology, and industry rapidly.

Upcoming Launches

The launches will include a commercial communication satellite and several PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) missions. Notably, the first fully Indian-made PSLV will be launched, marking a milestone for India’s space program.

Chandrayaan-4 Mission

The Chandrayaan-4 mission has been approved by the government and is designed as a lunar sample-return mission, making it India’s most complex lunar mission to date. The mission aims to bring back samples from the Moon, a capability only previously demonstrated by the US, Russia, and China.

LUPEX Mission

Another key mission is LUPEX, a joint lunar polar exploration program with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), focusing on studying ice at the Moon’s south pole.

Indian Space Station

ISRO has also begun work on an Indian space station, targeted for completion by 2035. The first of five modules is expected to be launched into orbit by 2028.