In a historic move, the Indian government has greenlit four major space projects, injecting $2.7 billion into the country's ambitious space program. This substantial investment is expected to encourage maximum participation from India's burgeoning private sector, according to officials.
Chandrayaan-4: Moon Sample Return Mission
The Chandrayaan-4 mission, allocated $253 million, aims to collect samples from the lunar south pole, specifically at Shiv Shakti Point, where the now-dormant Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft landed. This region is of immense interest due to its apparent abundance of water ice, which can be mined for life support and rocket fuel. The mission will involve launching four modules across two LVM-3 rocket launches, demonstrating India's homegrown technology and paving the way for landing an astronaut on the moon by 2040 .
Chandrayaan 3 mission's Vikram lander on the moon's surface. Image credit: ISRO
Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Program
The Gaganyaan program received an additional $1.35 billion, bringing its total budget to $2.4 billion. This expanded budget will support additional hardware requirements and a fourth uncrewed test flight. The first test flight, G1, is scheduled for later this year, with subsequent flights to be completed by 2026. India aims to become the fourth country to independently launch people into space, after the United States, Russia, and China.
Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)
The cabinet also approved the development of India's first space station module, BAS-1, to be launched into low Earth orbit by December 2028. The entire station will be operational by 2035. BAS will provide a unique platform for conducting scientific experiments in microgravity and foster
advancements in space technology.
Liftoff of the Moonbound Chandrayaan 3 by a GSLV Mk III rocket. Image Credit: ISRO
Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) "Shukrayaan"
India's first mission to Venus, Shukrayaan, received $147 million, with a targeted launch in March 2028. The mission aims to gather data about Venus' atmosphere, geology, and evolution.
Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV)
The NGLV, allocated $994 million, will have a reusable first stage, enabling low-cost access to space. India plans to use this rocket to establish and operate its space station and achieve crewed moon landings.
"This will bring us closer to establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and achieving a crewed moon landing by 2040," Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated.
With these projects, India is poised to become a major player in space exploration, demonstrating its technological capabilities and commitment to advancing space research.
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