ISRO Targets 2026–27 for Chandrayaan-4: India’s First Lunar Sample Return Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for a landmark lunar mission—Chandrayaan-4, a sophisticated Lunar Sample Return Mission—with a targeted launch window of 2026–2027. This mission will mark a significant leap in India’s planetary exploration capabilities, as it aims not just to land on the Moon, but to collect and return lunar soil and rock samples to Earth—a feat previously accomplished only by the United States, Russia, and China.

Dual Launch Strategy: PSLV and LVM3

The mission architecture, as outlined by ISRO in a recent presentation, reveals a two-launch configuration involving PSLV and LVM3:

1. First Launch: Returner Module via PSLV

   • The Returner Module—which is designed to bring the lunar samples back to Earth—will be launched first using India’s workhorse PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle).

   • This module will be placed in Earth orbit, where it will await rendezvous with the lunar sample-holding vehicle.

2. Second Launch: Chandrayaan-4 Composite Spacecraft via LVM3

   • The main Chandrayaan-4 spacecraft, a complex assembly including a lander, Lunar Sampler (robotic arm), and an Ascender Module, will be launched separately using LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3).

   • Once in lunar orbit, the lander will descend to the Moon’s surface to collect samples using a robotic arm.

Sample Retrieval and Return Mechanism

The mission will follow a multi-phase process:

• After landing, the robotic arm will extract lunar regolith and store it in the Ascender Module.

• The Ascender Module will then lift off from the lunar surface and enter orbit, where it will dock with the Returner Module—already in place in lunar orbit or having traveled there after Earth orbit rendezvous.

• Once the docking and sample transfer are complete, the Returner Module will head back to Earth, completing the mission with a controlled re-entry.

Core Technologies Involved

The mission demands several cutting-edge technologies, many of which are new to India’s lunar program:

• Lunar Sampler: A robotic arm capable of operating in the harsh lunar environment to collect regolith.

• Ascender Module: A mini-launch vehicle capable of vertical takeoff from the Moon.

• Orbital Docking: First-of-its-kind for ISRO, in both lunar and Earth orbits.

• Sample Transfer Mechanism: A system to ensure safe and sterile transfer of the lunar payload.

• Earth Re-entry Capsule: Designed to withstand high-speed atmospheric entry with valuable samples onboard.

Strategic Significance

With Chandrayaan-4, India is not just aiming for lunar presence but asserting its position in deep space exploration and planetary science. Success in this mission would place India in an elite club of nations that have returned samples from the Moon, opening doors for scientific analysis, international collaboration, and potential lunar resource utilization.

This mission aligns with ISRO’s broader goals under the “Amritkaal” vision for space exploration, signaling a shift from demonstration to complex interplanetary capabilities. If successful, Chandrayaan-4 will mark a defining moment in India’s space history—combining precision engineering, orbital mechanics, and robotic science in a single, high-stakes mission.