Crewed missions and a space station on the horizon
Department of Space of India has outlined an ambitious roadmap for the next two decades. The country plans to send its first astronaut into space in 2025, build its own space station by 2035, and land an Indian on the Moon by 2045.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology, described these as “cornerstone projects” for India’s growing space programme. The Bhartiya Antariksh Station, first announced in 2019, is expected to host astronauts from India for up to 20 days in orbit at around 400 km above Earth.
Chandrayaan-3 reveals new lunar data
Indian scientists have released fresh findings from the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which successfully landed on the Moon’s southern polar region in 2023. The mission’s rover, carrying the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), analysed lunar soil and identified two main rock types. One originated from magma, while the other was ferroan anorthosite, a common lunar rock.
The study, published in Nature, also noted elevated magnesium levels relative to calcium, suggesting the presence of mafic materials. These rocks are rich in iron and magnesium and form from cooling molten rock. The data collected across several metres near the landing site offers a strong reference point for remote sensing studies.
Chandrayaan missions to expand lunar exploration
Dr Singh confirmed that Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5 are already in development. ISRO, the space agency of India, has completed designs for both and is awaiting government approval.
Chandrayaan-4, scheduled for 2028, aims to bring lunar samples back to Earth and will demonstrate space docking in lunar orbit. Chandrayaan-5 will explore the potential for a long-term human presence on the Moon.
These missions follow the global recognition earned from Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first country to land on the Moon’s southern pole and the fourth nation ever to land a rover on the lunar surface.
Gaganyaan mission and space sector growth in India
The Gaganyaan mission, which will send three astronauts into Earth’s orbit for up to seven days, has seen multiple delays. Initially planned for 2022, it is now set for launch in 2025. While the pandemic played a role in the delay, ISRO has prioritised mission safety.
The minister shared the updates during an event marking India’s first National Space Day, which commemorates the Chandrayaan-3 landing. Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role in enabling growth in India’s space economy, stating that past limitations were due to the absence of supportive policies and leadership.
India’s space sector has seen a surge in activity, with over Rs 1,000 crore ($120.5 million) invested recently. The country now has around 300 space-related startups, many with global potential. Singh predicted a “quantum jump” in India’s space economy in the coming decade, citing projections that the national economy could grow fivefold.
with inputs from Reuters
