ISRO Plan to Bring Lunar Sample to Earth in Chandrayaan 4 Mission
Space News ,India :- Building on the triumph of Chandrayaan-3, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for an even more ambitious lunar mission—Chandrayaan-4. Diverging from its predecessor, this mission comprises two integral phases, aiming not only to successfully land on the Moon but also to retrieve and bring back lunar rocks and soil, known as lunar regolith, to Earth.
Chandrayaan-4 is designed with five distinct spacecraft modules, each playing a pivotal role:
1. Propulsion Module: Similar to Chandrayaan-3, this module guides the spacecraft into lunar orbit before detaching.
2. Descender Module: Responsible for the lunar landing, akin to the Vikram lander in Chandrayaan-3.
3. Ascender Module: After collecting lunar samples, this module separates from the lander and begins its return journey to Earth.
4. Transfer Module: In lunar orbit, this module rendezvous with the ascender module, captures it, and heads back to Earth. It releases the re-entry capsule with lunar samples before returning to Earth itself.
5. Re-entry Module: A crucial capsule housing collected lunar regolith, enduring re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere to safely land on Earth.
Executing this intricate mission involves a two-phased launch approach by ISRO. The initial launch, employing India’s heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM-3, will carry the first three modules: the propulsion module, descender module, and ascender module. The transfer module and re-entry module will be launched separately at a later date.
Chandrayaan-4 represents a significant advancement for Indian space exploration. If successful, it would position India as the fourth nation globally to accomplish the successful return of lunar samples, joining the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, and China. This achievement not only cements India's role as a major player in the global space race but also promises invaluable scientific insights into the Moon’s composition and history.
