ISRO’s Big Plans: Chandrayaan-4 and Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2028
ISRO Chairman S Somanath announced on Wednesday that the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1) is planned to be launched by 2028. Speaking in New Delhi, he explained that the Chandrayaan-4 mission aims to demonstrate the technology to land on the moon and return to Earth, a crucial step for future manned missions.
He stated, “Chandrayaaan 4 mission is primarily targeted to demonstrate the technology to go to the moon and then come back. The coming back is a highlight of it, landing there has already been demonstrated by Chandrayaan-3. If you have to send a man to space later in 2040, a vision by our PM, we need to have confidence in technology…”
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission, which will develop and demonstrate technologies for a moon landing and return. The mission will also collect and analyze moon samples on Earth. PM Modi’s government has allocated Rs 2,104 crore for this mission, with a completion schedule of 36 months.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw added, “Chandrayaan-4 mission has been expanded to add more elements. The next step is to get the manned mission to the Moon. All preparatory steps towards this have been approved. Venus Orbiter Mission, Gaganyaan follow-on and Bharatiya Antariksh Station and Next Generation Launch Vehicle development also given approval.”
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Great news for the space sector! The Union Cabinet has approved the first step towards the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), expanding the Gaganyaan programme! This landmark decision brings us closer to a self-sustained space station by 2035 and a crewed lunar mission by 2040!”
The Chandrayaan-4 mission will demonstrate critical technologies for docking, undocking, landing, and safe return to Earth, along with lunar sample collection and analysis. The mission will involve significant participation from Indian industry and academia, creating high employment potential and technology spin-offs to other sectors.
The successful Chandrayaan-3 mission has already established vital technologies for a soft landing on the moon, and Chandrayaan-4 will build on this success. The mission aims to make India self-sufficient in foundational technologies for manned missions and lunar sample analysis.
Doubts Revealed
ISRO -: ISRO stands for Indian Space Research Organisation. It is India’s space agency responsible for space research and exploration.
Chandrayaan-4 -: Chandrayaan-4 is a mission by ISRO to explore the moon. It aims to land on the moon and bring back samples to Earth.
Bharatiya Antariksh Station -: The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is a planned space station by India. It will be a place in space where astronauts can live and work.
2028 -: 2028 is a year in the future. It is when ISRO plans to launch the first part of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
S Somanath -: S Somanath is the Chairman of ISRO. He is the leader of India’s space research and exploration efforts.
Gaganyaan Mission -: The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first mission to send humans to space. It aims to send Indian astronauts to space and bring them back safely.
Union Cabinet -: The Union Cabinet is a group of top government officials in India. They make important decisions for the country.
PM Modi -: PM Modi is the Prime Minister of India. He is the head of the government and leads the country.
Rs 2,104 crore -: Rs 2,104 crore is a large amount of money. It is the budget approved for the Chandrayaan-4 mission.
lunar sample collection -: Lunar sample collection means gathering rocks and soil from the moon. These samples help scientists learn more about the moon.
