Fresh off the success of Chandrayaan-3, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has confirmed plans for Chandrayaan-4, scheduled for late 2026. This mission aims to bring back lunar soil samples — making India one of only a few countries to attempt a lunar sample return mission.
Chandrayaan-3’s successful soft landing near the moon’s south pole in August 2023 marked a major milestone for India’s space ambitions. Chandrayaan-4 will go a step further: it will deploy a robotic lander with a drilling mechanism to collect lunar regolith, which will then be launched back to Earth through a return module.
This mission will involve far more complexity than previous lunar missions. ISRO is partnering with international space agencies, including ESA (European Space Agency) and JAXA (Japan), for technical support and joint research. The mission will also test advanced propulsion, navigation, and autonomous sample handling systems.
Back home, interest in space science is soaring. ISRO has launched student programs and public outreach to engage youth, and India is also increasing investments in its private space sector.
Chandrayaan-4 isn’t just a scientific mission — it’s a symbol of India’s place in the global space race. If successful, it could significantly boost lunar research, inspire educational initiatives, and pave the way for future Mars and asteroid missions.
