Cabinet approves Chandrayaan-4 and first module of Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2028

Cabinet unveils vision for Indian Space Program; plans for Indian Space Station by 2035

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the fourth mission of the Chandrayaan series and the construction of the first unit of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2028. This significant decision, announced on Wednesday, aims to advance India’s capabilities in lunar exploration and human spaceflight.

Chandrayaan-4 will focus on developing technologies necessary for astronauts to return safely to Earth after landing on the Moon. The mission also intends to collect lunar samples for analysis on Earth, marking a crucial step in India’s space exploration efforts. According to a Cabinet communique, the mission will establish foundational technologies for a planned Indian lunar landing by 2040.

The mission is set to be executed with a budget of Rs.2,104.06 crore, with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) responsible for the spacecraft’s development and launch. The funding covers spacecraft development, two launches using the LVM3 vehicle, deep space network support, and special tests for design validation. The entire mission is expected to be completed within 36 months from the date of approval.

The Cabinet also laid out its vision for the Indian space program, with plans for an Indian Space Station by 2035 and an Indian astronaut landing on the lunar surface by 2040. To facilitate this vision, the development of the first module of the BAS has also been approved.

Additionally, the Gaganyaan Programme has been revised to include the development of precursor missions for the BAS, with an additional uncrewed mission factored into the scope. With a net increase of Rs.11,170 crore, the total funding for the revised Gaganyaan Programme now stands at Rs.20,193 crore.

The ambitious space program envisions eight missions, including four under the current Gaganyaan initiative by 2026, and additional missions to validate various technologies by December 2028. The government aims to demonstrate critical technologies for long-duration human space missions as part of its broader objectives in space exploration.

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