Jitendra Singh, the minister of science and technology, said that India will begin the Chandrayaan-4 mission in 2027 with the goal of bringing samples of moon rocks to Earth.
The heavy-lift LVM-3 rocket, which will carry five distinct mission components that will be assembled in orbit, will launch at least twice as part of Chandrayaan-4. “The Chandrayaan-4 mission aims to collect samples from the moon’s surface and bring them back to the Earth,” Mr. Singh told the media in an interview.
According to the minister, next year will see the start of the Gaganyaan mission, which involves sending Indian astronauts to low-Earth orbit in a uniquely designed spacecraft and safely returning them.
In order to investigate the seabed, India will also launch Samudrayaan in 2026. This mission will place three scientists in a submersible down to 6,000 meters in the deep ocean. “This achievement will align with the timelines of India’s other landmark missions, including the Gaganyaan space mission, marking a pleasant coincidence in the nation’s journey toward scientific excellence,” Mr. Singh said. In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Samudrayaan mission, according to Mr. Singh.
The minister stressed how the Samudrayaan has the potential to reveal a wealth of resources, including rare metals, important minerals, and untapped marine biodiversity, all of which are essential for the nation’s environmental sustainability and economic development.
Additionally, this year will see the first uncrewed journey of the Gaganyaan project carrying a robot, ‘Vyommitra.’. While the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was founded in 1969, Mr. Singh said that it took more than 20 years to build the first launch pad in 1993. The second launch pad was built in 2004, marking yet another ten-year lapse. But over the past decade, India’s space industry has had a remarkable growth in terms of investment and infrastructure, he added. “We are now building a third launch pad for the first time for heavier rockets and expanding also beyond Sriharikota with a new launch site in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin district to launch small satellites,” Mr. Singh said.
According to the minister, India’s space economy, which is presently worth USD 8 billion, is expected to grow to USD 44 billion over the next ten years, confirming India’s position as a major player in the global space industry.
Mr. Singh said that more innovation, investment, and international cooperation had resulted from the changes implemented over the last ten years, including the opening of the space industry to private companies. “With new infrastructure, increased private participation, and record-breaking investments, India is poised for even greater achievements in the years to come,” he said.
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