ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan on Sunday said that the central government has given approval for the ambitious Chandrayaan-5 mission as part of the country’s long-term goal of landing an Indian on the Moon by 2040. Speaking at a felicitation event marking his appointment as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Narayanan outlined the future projects and vision for ISRO, emphasizing the space agency’s crucial role in advancing India’s space exploration efforts.
Narayanan revealed that several key missions are in the pipeline. He shared that Chandrayaan-4 will focus on landing and collecting samples from the Moon, while Chandrayaan-5, which received approval just days ago, will deploy a 350 kg rover. This mission is part of a collaboration between India and Japan. Narayanan highlighted the growing scope of India’s lunar exploration and the significance of Chandrayaan-5, which will feature a higher-capacity lander, essential for future missions, including potential human landings on the Moon.
ISRO’s recent success with Chandrayaan-3, which safely and successfully landed on the Moon’s south pole, added another remarkable achievement to India’s space exploration history. Union Minister Jitendra Singh had previously confirmed that the government has also approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission, which aims to showcase technology for safe landings, sample collection, and return to Earth.
Looking ahead, Narayanan underscored the goal of establishing the Bharatiya Antriksh Station by 2035. This ambitious project will mark India’s entry into the realm of space stations. Additionally, Narayanan emphasized the government’s vision of sending Indian astronauts to the Moon aboard an Indian-made rocket, reinforcing the commitment to advancing India’s space capabilities.
Reflecting on his journey, Narayanan expressed deep gratitude for his role in ISRO’s achievements. He acknowledged the hard work of his predecessor, Dr. K. Sivan, and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unwavering support and vision for a developed India. Narayanan also candidly shared the emotional challenges faced by ISRO, particularly the setbacks experienced with Chandrayaan-2, which, despite its failed soft landing, succeeded in gathering valuable data and images from lunar orbit.
Over the past decade, ISRO has made significant strides in satellite launches, sending a total of 433 satellites into space, with a remarkable 90% success rate. This includes the successful launch of 393 foreign satellites across 34 countries, highlighting India’s position as a global leader in space technology and satellite services.
Narayanan also discussed the progress of India’s second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam, a coastal village in Tamil Nadu. The foundation for this new spaceport was laid in February 2024, with construction beginning in March 2025. The Kulasekarapattinam spaceport will primarily support the launch of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), a vehicle that aims to capture the growing market for launching small satellites weighing up to 500kg. This development will further enhance India’s capabilities in space launch services.
Reflecting on past achievements, Narayanan celebrated the success of ISRO’s Chandrayaan missions. Chandrayaan-1 was pivotal in discovering water on the Moon, while Chandrayaan-2, despite the landing failure, provided invaluable images and data from lunar orbit. Chandrayaan-3 made history as the first mission to achieve a soft landing at the Moon’s south pole. Narayanan also pointed out ISRO’s milestone as the fourth country in the world to launch a satellite dedicated to studying the Sun.
(With ANI inputs)
