Chandrayaan-5 Approved Before Chandrayaan-4 Launch: What Makes It Different?

The ambitious Chandrayaan-5 mission to investigate the Moon has received approval from the Center, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan announced on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

At a ceremony to celebrate his appointment as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, which is based in Bengaluru, Narayanan stated that the Chandrayaan-5 mission would use a 250 kg rover to investigate the Moon's surface, in contrast to the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which used the 25 kg rover known as "Prayagyaan."

Chandrayaan Mission Goal

The goal of the Chandrayaan mission is to conduct lunar surface research. With its successful 2008 launch, Chandrayaan-1 created maps of the Moon's chemistry, minerals, and photogeology. When the Chandrayaan-2 mission's lunar landing crashed on the moon's surface in 2019, it came to an end.

From Chandrayaan-2 to Chandrayaan-3's Success

According to Narayanan, who is also the Secretary of the Department of Space, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter's high-resolution camera sent hundreds of pictures.

A follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 was designed to show that the spacecraft could safely land and roam the lunar surface. On August 23, 2023, the Vikram lander was able to soft-land on the moon's south pole region.

Chandrayaan-5 Mission Approved

"We received approval for the Chandrayaan-5 mission just three days ago. We will carry out this mission in partnership with Japan," Narayanan stated.

Chandrayaan-4 Mission

It is anticipated that the Chandrayaan-4 mission will launch in 2027. Its goal is to gather lunar soil samples from the moon and return them to Earth for additional research.

Chandrayaan-4 will require at least two launches of the LVM-3 rocket. The mission will have five parts, which will be put together in space.

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ISRO’s Future Missions

Regarding ISRO's upcoming initiatives, Mr. Narayanan stated that in addition to other missions, such as Gaganyaan, preparations are on to build India's own space station, known as Bharatiya Antariksh Station.