February 6, 2025: India is set to launch the much-anticipated Chandrayaan-4 mission in 2027, aimed at collecting samples of moon rocks and bringing them back to Earth, as announced by Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh. The mission will require two separate launches of the heavy-lift LVM-3 rocket, which will carry five distinct components of the mission that will be assembled in orbit.
"The Chandrayaan-4 mission will take significant strides in lunar exploration, collecting samples from the moon's surface and bringing them back for scientific analysis," Minister Singh told PTI in an interview.
In addition to the Chandrayaan-4 mission, India’s space exploration calendar is packed with other major milestones. The Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit and safely return them, is scheduled for launch next year. Following that, in 2026, India will launch Samudrayaan, a mission that will take three scientists to the ocean's depths, exploring the seabed to a depth of 6,000 meters.
Minister Singh noted that the success of Samudrayaan aligns with the timeline of India’s other ambitious missions, positioning the nation as a leading player in both space and ocean exploration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier highlighted the importance of the Samudrayaan mission in his Independence Day speech, emphasizing its potential to unlock valuable resources such as critical minerals, rare metals, and marine biodiversity essential for India’s economic growth and sustainability.
India’s space ambitions are expanding rapidly. This year, the first uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan, carrying a robot named Vyommitra, will also take place, marking another milestone in India’s space exploration journey.
Singh also reflected on India’s space journey, highlighting that while the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was established in 1969, it took over two decades before the first launch pad was established in 1993. Since then, the country has seen unprecedented growth in space infrastructure, with the addition of a second launch pad in 2004 and a third currently under construction, designed to support heavier rockets. A new launch site is also being developed in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin district to support the growing demand for small satellite launches.
Looking ahead, Minister Singh expressed optimism for India’s space economy, currently valued at USD 8 billion, which is projected to grow to USD 44 billion in the next decade. This growth is driven by reforms in the space sector, including increased private sector participation and international collaborations.
“With a strong foundation in infrastructure, innovation, and investment, India is poised for even greater accomplishments in space exploration,” Minister Singh concluded.
India’s expanding role in space exploration highlights the nation’s commitment to scientific excellence, technological advancement, and global leadership in the coming years.