India’s space ambitions have reached new heights with the approval of the Chandrayaan-5 mission, announced by ISRO Chairman V Narayanan on March 16, 2025. This mission will be executed in collaboration with Japan and aims to conduct an advanced study of the Moon’s surface. Unlike Chandrayaan-3, which carried the 25 kg rover ‘Pragyan’, Chandrayaan-5 will deploy a heavier 250 kg rover, enhancing India’s lunar exploration capabilities.
Key Highlights of Chandrayaan-5 Mission
General Information
- Approved: March 13, 2025
- Announced by: ISRO Chairman V Narayanan
- Collaboration: India (ISRO) and Japan (JAXA)
- Objective: Detailed study of the Moon’s surface
- Rover Weight: 250 kg (10 times heavier than Chandrayaan-3’s rover ‘Pragyan’)
- Focus Area: Advanced mineralogical and geological analysis
Chandrayaan Mission Timeline
Mission |
Year |
Key Achievement |
Status |
Chandrayaan-1 |
2008 |
Discovered water molecules on the Moon |
Successful |
Chandrayaan-2 |
2019 |
Orbiter successful, lander crashed |
Partial Success |
Chandrayaan-3 |
2023 |
First successful soft landing on Moon’s south pole |
Successful |
Chandrayaan-4 |
2027 (expected) |
Lunar soil sample collection and return to Earth |
Upcoming |
Chandrayaan-5 |
2028 (expected) |
Advanced surface study with a 250 kg rover |
Upcoming |
Objectives of Chandrayaan-5
- Conduct detailed mineralogical and geological analysis of the Moon’s surface.
- Deploy a heavier rover (250 kg) for in-depth exploration.
- Enhance India’s lunar technology and scientific capabilities.
Strengthen international collaboration with Japan.
Future Plans of ISRO
- Chandrayaan-4 (2027): To bring lunar soil samples to Earth.
- Gaganyaan Mission: India’s first manned mission to space.
- Bharatiya Antariksh Station: India’s own space station by 2035.
Summary/Static |
Details |
Why in the news? |
Chandrayaan-5 Mission Approved by the Centre: A Major Leap in Lunar Exploration |
Mission Name |
Chandrayaan-5 |
Approval Date |
March 13, 2025 |
Announced by |
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan |
Collaboration |
ISRO (India) and JAXA (Japan) |
Rover Weight |
250 kg |
Mission Goal |
Advanced lunar surface study |
Launch Year |
2028 (expected) |
Future Missions |
Chandrayaan-4 (2027), Gaganyaan, Bharatiya Antariksh Station |