India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is advancing its lunar exploration programme with the Chandrayaan-4 mission, scheduled for launch in 2027. The upcoming mission is expected to go beyond Chandrayaan-3’s achievements by not only executing a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole but also collecting and returning lunar surface samples to Earth. The mission will involve a complex assembly of five modules launched using two rockets, a significant departure from previous lunar missions undertaken by ISRO. Mission Details and Technological Advancements According to reports, the Chandrayaan-4 mission will have a total mass of 9,200 kg, more than double the weight of its predecessor. The increased size necessitates the use of two Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) rockets. These rockets will transport five separate modules into Earth’s orbit, where they will be docked before embarking on their journey to the Moon. As per statements made to ETV Bharat, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan mentioned that four of these modules will continue towards the Moon, with two ultimately making a landing. One module will remain …