CHANDRAYAAN-4 Mission

Why in news?

The Union Cabinet approved anew moon mission ‘Chandrayaan-4’.

• The ain is to develop and demonstrate the technologies tocome back to Earth after successfully landing on the Moon and also collect moon samplesand analyze them on Earth.

Chandrayaan-4 Mission

• Following the success of Chandrayaan-3, ISRO is now turning its attention to Chandrayaan-4, a lunar sample-return mission.
• This ambitious project aims to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, collect lunar rock samples, and return them to Earth.
• If successful, India would join the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China in accomplishing this challenging feat.

Key Objectives of the Mission

• Achieving a safe and gentle landing on the lunar surface.
• Collecting and storing lunar samples.
• Lifting off from the Moon's surface.
• Docking and undocking in lunar orbit.
• Transferring samples between spacecraft modules.
• Returning the collected samples safely to Earth.

Detailed Payloads

• Lunar Propulsion Module: Transports the Lunar Lander and Ascender stages to the Moon, similar to the propulsion module used in Chandrayaan-3.
• Lunar Lander: Touches down on the Moon, carrying instruments to support the Ascender stage and soil sampling equipment.
• Lunar Module Ascender: After collecting samples, it detaches from the Lander, ascends to lunar orbit, and prepares for docking.
• Transfer Module: Transfers the samples from the Ascender to the Re-entry Module, propelling them back to Earth.
• Re-entry Module: Designed to safely return to Earth with the lunar samples.

Dual Rocket Launch Strategy

• Chandrayaan-4 will utilize two different rockets:
• Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LMV-3): The heavy lifter will carry the propulsion, descender, and ascender modules.
• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV): The workhorse will transport the transfer and re-entry modules to their designated lunar orbits. These rockets will be launched on different dates, with the earliest launch not expected before 2028.

Advanced Technology and Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX)

• The mission’s success will hinge on the successful docking of the Ascender Module with the Transfer Module in lunar orbit, a process that relies on the completion of the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX).
• This experiment, developed by ISRO, involves two spacecraft and aims to advance technologies for orbital rendezvous, docking, and formation flying, which are crucial for the Chandrayaan-4 mission.
• By leveraging these sophisticated technologies and innovative strategies, ISRO aims to advance India’s capabilities in lunar exploration and bring back samples from the Moon, marking another significant milestone in the country's space exploration journey.