India is preparing the next phase of its lunar exploration programme, with plans to bring Moon samples back to Earth and deploy a much heavier rover in future missions, according to ISRO Chairman V Narayanan.
Speaking at the inaugural event of ISRO’s fourth edition of the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START 2026) programme, Narayanan discussed several upcoming missions involving the Moon, Mars and Venus, as reported by a news agency.
“Now we are working on the continuation of the Chandrayaan programme. In Chandrayaan-4, we plan to collect samples and bring them back. Chandrayaan-5 will involve a heavier lander with a longer mission life,” the ISRO chief said.
Narayanan explained that the Chandrayaan-3 lander operated for about 14 days on the lunar surface. Future missions are expected to significantly extend this duration.
“In the future mission, we are talking about a life of around 100 days. The rover will also be heavier. Chandrayaan-3 had a rover of about 25 kg, while the future mission will have a rover of about 350 kg,” he said.
He also highlighted other upcoming projects under discussion, including a Mars landing mission and the Venus Orbiter Mission.
“We have already accomplished the Mars Orbiter Mission, and now we are working on a Mars landing mission,” Narayanan said, adding that these missions are currently under consideration for government approval.
The ISRO chief also spoke about India’s broader space ambitions, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
“We are currently working on the Gaganyaan programme and are planning to send our own astronauts into space and bring them back safely, possibly within the next 2 years,” he said.
Narayanan added that India plans to build its own space station by 2035 and aims to land Indian astronauts on the Moon and bring them back safely by 2040.
Reflecting on the Chandrayaan-3 mission in 2023, he noted that India became the first country to achieve a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole.
“Not only did we achieve the landing, but many discoveries were made. Around 8 minerals were identified, seismic activity was studied, and the thermal profile of the Moon’s surface was understood,” he said.
Narayanan also mentioned that the Aditya-L1 solar mission has started generating scientific data. India has completed 10 scientific missions so far, including AstroSat, which recently completed 10 years in orbit and continues to operate.
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