ISRO’s Bold Move to Ditch Mega Rockets for Lunar Mission Wins US Experts’ Praise

India’s space agency, ISRO, has taken a groundbreaking approach for its upcoming lunar mission, planned for 2040. Instead of relying on a single massive rocket, as NASA does, ISRO has opted for a more cost-effective strategy: launching multiple smaller rockets and assembling the spacecraft in orbit using advanced docking technology. This decision has not only set India on a unique path in space exploration but has also garnered praise from American experts who view it as a more sustainable alternative to NASA’s costly Space Launch System (SLS).

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan recently explained the reasoning behind this move, emphasizing economic viability and long-term sustainability. “One option is to build a huge rocket and take a single module. But what will you do with that rocket thereafter? Economically, we have to understand and really look at all aspects. So, we are not going to build a huge rocket. We are going to have multiple modules,” he stated.

India’s Lunar and Space Station Ambitions

India’s space ambitions extend beyond just the Moon. The country is also working towards establishing its own space station, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, by 2035. The station will be assembled in orbit, with five modules launched separately and docked together. The first module has already received approval, marking a major milestone in India’s space program.

The upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission will play a crucial role in India’s lunar aspirations, serving as a stepping stone for developing landing and sample return capabilities. Additionally, ISRO’s Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) has already demonstrated India’s growing expertise in orbital docking—a key technology that will be critical for both the space station and the Moon mission.

US Experts Applaud ISRO’s Strategy

ISRO’s unconventional approach has attracted international attention, particularly from American space analysts. Scott Manley, a well-known astronomer and rocket scientist, praised India’s decision, calling it “the right choice” for lunar landing architecture. He highlighted India’s growing space capabilities and its strategic planning for the future.

Meanwhile, spaceflight journalist Eric Berger pointed out the stark contrast between ISRO’s cost-effective model and NASA’s budget-heavy Artemis program. Berger noted that the US has spent billions on the SLS, a non-reusable heavy-lift rocket that has been plagued by high costs and delays. He emphasized that ISRO’s method—relying on multiple launches and in-space assembly—offers a more sustainable approach to deep space exploration.

The Cost Debate: ISRO vs. NASA

NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon, has faced criticism due to its enormous costs. The program is projected to cost $93 billion from 2012 to 2025, with each SLS launch estimated at $4.1 billion—far higher than initially planned. Due to its non-reusable nature, SLS can only launch about once every two years, raising concerns about its long-term viability. Critics argue that these financial constraints are limiting NASA’s ability to fund other critical scientific missions.

In contrast, ISRO has a reputation for delivering high-impact missions at a fraction of the cost. India’s Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions demonstrated how strategic planning and efficient resource utilization can achieve remarkable results without massive budgets. By leveraging existing launch vehicles, ISRO’s lunar mission is expected to be significantly more affordable compared to Artemis.

A Future Built on Efficiency and Innovation

While ISRO’s lunar mission is still over a decade away, its strategy reflects a shift towards sustainable and cost-efficient space exploration. By prioritizing in-orbit assembly and docking technology, India is not only preparing for the Moon but also laying the groundwork for future interplanetary missions.

As NASA continues to invest in large, expensive rockets, ISRO’s innovative approach has sparked a discussion about the future of human spaceflight. With India proving that deep space missions don’t have to come with astronomical costs, ISRO’s decision may serve as a blueprint for future lunar exploration worldwide.