India’s space ambitions are soaring as the government has recently approved the Chandrayaan-5 mission, a crucial step towards the country’s goal of landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040. This mission, which will carry a 350 kg rover, will be conducted in collaboration with Japan and will feature a larger lander, making it a significant development for future human lunar landings.
BUILDING ON CHANDRAYAAN’S LEGACY
India’s journey to the Moon began with Chandrayaan-1, which played a pivotal role in discovering water molecules on the lunar surface. Though Chandrayaan-2 faced a landing failure, it provided valuable lunar data. Chandrayaan-3, however, made history by achieving the first-ever soft landing at the Moon’s South Pole, making India only the fourth country to accomplish a lunar landing.
Before Chandrayaan-5, India will launch Chandrayaan-4, which will focus on landing on the Moon and collecting samples. This mission will demonstrate crucial technologies for safe landings, sample collection, and return to Earth, paving the way for future crewed missions.
INDIA’S EXPANDING SPACE ASPIRATIONS
Beyond lunar exploration, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is actively working towards setting up the Bharatiya Antriksh Station by 2035. Additionally, India aims to send astronauts to the Moon aboard a homegrown rocket, solidifying its position as a global space power.
India has made significant progress in space technology over the past decade. ISRO has successfully launched 433 satellites, including 393 foreign satellites, demonstrating its prowess in commercial satellite launches. With a 90% success rate, ISRO has established itself as one of the most reliable space agencies in the world.
FUTURE LAUNCH INFRASTRUCTURE
To support the increasing demand for satellite launches, ISRO is developing a new spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, which will focus on Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) missions. The foundation was laid in February 2024, with construction scheduled to begin in March 2025.
CONCLUSION
With Chandrayaan-5, India is taking another giant leap in lunar exploration. As the country moves closer to its 2040 human Moon mission goal, ISRO’s advancements in landing technology, space infrastructure, and international collaborations will play a key role in shaping the future of space exploration.
