Chandrayaan 4 will Collect Samples from the Lunar Surface, says ISRO Chief

Following its successful moon landing near the south pole, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for its next ambitious mission: Chandrayaan-4. This mission aims to collect samples from the lunar surface and will require multiple launches to accomplish its goals.

ISRO is also preparing for a critical space docking experiment later this year. The experiment, known as SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment), involves two mini-satellites that will be placed in different orbits. The challenge is to bring these satellites close enough to dock and transfer objects between them in space. This capability is crucial for future manned missions and for returning samples from space.

A look at ISRO chairman's statement 

"We have worked out the configuration of Chandrayaan-4 and how to bring samples from the moon to Earth. The entire project report, including studies, reviews, and cost, has been sent for approval. We have proposed multiple launches because our current rocket capability is not sufficient for a single mission to go and return. So, we need to develop docking capability in both Earth-space and moon-space systems. We are developing that capability," said ISRO chairman S. Somanath during the India Space Congress in New Delhi.

The development of docking capability is also essential for future human spaceflights. ISRO is determined to continue its Chandrayaan series of missions to further explore the moon until it can successfully land astronauts on the lunar surface. The agency plans to launch SPADEX by November or December this year, although a specific date has yet to be finalized.

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ISRO is also focusing on Gaganyaan, India's long-standing dream of sending astronauts into space. After the successful completion of the first Test Vehicle (TV-D1) last October, ISRO is preparing for three subsequent tests this year.

"We have three tasks ahead this year. One is called the G-1, the first unmanned mission of Gaganyaan with LVM-3, followed by a second test vehicle demonstration (TV-D2), and then the first pad abort test. We are working on all three tests simultaneously, and we are hopeful that by December all three can be completed," said the ISRO chief.

With these ambitious plans, ISRO continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, aiming to achieve significant milestones in both lunar exploration and human spaceflight.