Gaganyaan scheduled for 2026, Chandrayaan-4 to be launched in 2028: ISRO
ISRO Chairman S Somanath gave a major update on India’s space goals and announced new timelines for upcoming missions, including the ambitious Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-4 projects. At the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture in Akashvani, Somanath, he gave details about the Gaganyaan mission. According to Somanath, India’s first human spaceflight project is now expected in 2026. He revealed that Chandrayaan-4, aimed at returning samples from the lunar surface, will be launched in 2028.
The ISRO chairman shared insights into India’s joint missions, especially a partnership with Japan’s space agency JAXA. This mission, initially called LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration), will be named Chandrayaan-5. In this mission, India will provide the lander while JAXA will provide the rover, a significant upgrade from the smaller Chandrayaan-3 rover. With a much larger payload of 350 kg, Chandrayaan-5 will be equipped to conduct extensive scientific research on the lunar surface.
Focus on indigenization and expanding India’s role in the global space market
Addressing the audience, Somanath spoke about the importance of self-reliance in space technology, acknowledging the progress made in reducing dependence on imports, but emphasizing that more needs to be done. He highlighted ISRO’s goal to increase India’s share in the global space economy from the current 2 percent to 10 percent in the next decade. Somanath noted that this expansion requires collaboration across sectors. He encouraged both startups and established companies to actively participate in the space industry.
Private sector participation and driving innovation in space
Somanath mentioned the increasing role of private industries in the Indian space sector. He explained that ISRO has started initiatives to involve private companies in space exploration, moving away from the usual government-led approach. Citing examples such as private companies now involved in missile manufacturing, he conveyed optimism about the emerging partnership between ISRO and private entities in India.
India’s astronomical legacy and the path to global scientific contributions
Somanath reflected on India’s contributions to astronomy and highlighted the country’s history in observing and exploring stars. He emphasized the importance of scientific missions such as Chandrayaan-3, which achieved a soft landing on the moon, and Aditya-L1 and Astrosat, the Indian Space Observatory, which have provided important data. According to Somanath, these missions contribute to global scientific knowledge, with Astrosat alone having led to hundreds of research articles and doctoral studies.
