The Union Cabinet has greenlit a series of major space missions totaling Rs 31,772 crore, outlining a comprehensive roadmap for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) until nearly 2040.
These missions include the Chandrayaan-4, a Venus mission, the expanded Gaganyaan mission featuring the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, and the development of the new rocket named ‘Soorya.’
This approval, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comes within 100 days of the new government’s third term. The NDTV quoted ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath as saying, “India’s ambitious space vision and roadmap have now been given the wings to fly high.”
Chandrayaan-4: Returning from the Moon
The government has sanctioned the Chandrayaan-4 mission, aiming to develop and demonstrate the technology required for a successful Moon landing, sample collection, and safe return to Earth. This mission is a stepping stone toward India’s ultimate goal of landing on the Moon and returning safely, planned for completion by 2040.
ALSO READ: ‘India landed on the moon…but in Karachi’: Pakistan lawmaker’s speech in Parliament goes viral
To achieve these goals, key technologies for docking/undocking, landing, and lunar sample analysis will be developed. The multi-stage mission, which will be executed over 36 months, has received an allocation of Rs 2,104 crore.
India’s First Mission to Venus
Building on the success of its Mars mission in 2013, ISRO is set to launch its maiden mission to study Venus. The Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) will explore the surface, subsurface, and atmosphere of the planet, offering insights into how planetary environments can differ significantly. Given Venus’s historical similarities to Earth, this mission is expected to enhance our understanding of planetary evolution.
The mission, overseen by the Department of Space, is planned for launch in March 2028, with a budget of Rs 1,236 crore.
Bharatiya Antariksha Station: Expanding the Gaganyaan Mission
To bolster India’s low Earth orbit capabilities, the Cabinet approved the development of the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS-1) under the Gaganyaan program. The revised Gaganyaan scope includes additional uncrewed missions, technological developments for building and operating BAS, and hardware enhancements.
ALSO READ: Union Cabinet passes ‘One Nation, One Election’, Opposition slams move
The human spaceflight program aims to conduct eight missions by December 2028, followed by the launch of BAS-1. The total allocation for Gaganyaan and BAS missions stands at Rs 20,193 crores, with a target completion date of December 2029.
Development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle ‘Soorya’
In alignment with the goal of a crewed lunar landing by 2040, the government has sanctioned the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), dubbed ‘Soorya.’ This new vehicle will feature a payload capacity three times greater than the current Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) at 1.5 times the cost. It is designed for reusability and low-cost access to space, with modular green propulsion systems.
NGLV will have the capability to carry up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and will include a reusable first stage. A sum of ₹8,239 crores has been allocated for its development, which is expected to be completed in 96 months.
ISRO’s latest mission approvals will advance India’s space technology capabilities, ensuring the nation harnesses the benefits of space exploration for the greater good. Dr. Somanath emphasized, “We will ensure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promising planetary vision to rocket India to be a developed nation or Viksit Bharat by 2047 does not falter.”
Currently, India boasts self-reliance in space transportation, launching satellites up to 10 tonnes to LEO and 4 tonnes to Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The upcoming missions are set to propel India further into a new era of space exploration.
