The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for its ambitious Chandrayaan-4 mission, which aims to bring back samples from the Moon. This mission has unique challenges and involves using the most powerful rocket system that India has ever built.
Unique Approach: Multiple Launches and In-Space Assembly
Unlike previous missions, Chandrayaan-4 will be launched in several parts and then assembled in space before heading to the Moon. This innovative approach is necessary because the spacecraft’s size exceeds the carrying capacity of ISRO’s current rockets. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath revealed this information on Wednesday, explaining that their rockets are not yet strong enough to handle the entire spacecraft at once.
Assembling spacecraft parts in orbit is a concept used in building the International Space Station. However, this will be the first time a lunar mission uses this method, potentially setting a new precedent in space exploration.
ISRO is developing new docking capabilities to allow spacecraft parts to join together in both Earth and Moon orbits. This capability will be tested later this year with a mission called Spadex.
The upcoming Spadex mission will be ISRO’s first to demonstrate in-space docking. In typical lunar missions, part of the spacecraft lands on the Moon while the other part stays in orbit. After collecting samples, the lander returns and docks with the orbiting module. However, assembling modules in Earth orbit for a lunar journey is a novel concept. Although ISRO is not the first to attempt this, it is an unprecedented move in space exploration.
Somanath mentioned that a detailed study and internal review for the Chandrayaan-4 mission are complete, and the cost estimate will soon be submitted to the government for approval. This mission is part of ISRO’s Vision 2047, which includes plans for India’s space station by 2035 and sending humans to the Moon by 2040.
India’s future space station, Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), will also be assembled in space through multiple launches. The first segment of BAS will be launched using the current LVM3 rocket, to have the first launch by 2028. A proposal detailing the construction, required technologies, timeline, and costs is being prepared for government approval.
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Additional BAS modules will be developed over time. The station will have a five-module configuration, with multiple committees working on their development. Future modules may be launched using an upgraded LVM3 or the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), a heavy rocket currently under development. The design and production plan for NGLV is ready and will be submitted to the government for approval.
To accommodate the NGLV, ISRO is creating a new launch complex, as the current facilities are inadequate for the 4,000-ton rocket. This new facility will be crucial for handling and processing the NGLV, enabling ISRO to undertake larger and more complex missions.
Through these innovative strategies and missions, ISRO continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, positioning India as a significant player on the global stage. The Chandrayaan-4 mission, with its multiple launches and in-space assembly, represents a major step forward in space technology and exploration.
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