Why Chandrayaan-4 will be India's most difficult space mission ever
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has revelead details for the Chandrayaan-4 mission, which is all set to take off in 2029. The main goal of this ₹2,104.06 crore project is to grab some samples from the Moon's surface and check out its habitability. The mission will use five modules: Ascender Module, Descender Module, Re-entry Module, Transfer Module, and Propulsion Module. These modules will be launched as two stacks on different LVM3 launch vehicles.
Chandrayaan-4's complex journey to theMoon
After they launch, the two stacks will link up in an elliptical Earth orbit to create an integrated stack. This stack will then perform a series of Earth-bound maneuvers using the Propulsion Module (PM). Once the PM runs out of fuel, it will be discarded from the stack. The remaining integrated stack will then carry out all the necessary maneuvers to reach a lunar orbit that matches a pre-determined landing site on the Moon's surface.
Robotic arm to collect lunar samples
When the spacecraft lands on the Moon, a robotic arm aka Surface Sampling Robot attached to the Descender Module will scoop up 2-3kg of lunar dust from the area around the landing site. These samples will then be moved to a container in the Ascender Module (AM). Plus, a drilling mechanism will collect sub-surface samples and store them in another container inside the AM. To avoid any contamination on their way back to Earth, these containers will be securely sealed.
Chandrayaan-4's return journey to Earth
Once the sample collection is done, the AM will rise to lunar orbit and dock with a parked Transfer-and-Re-entry Module. After that, the samples will be moved from the AM to the Re-entry Module (RM). Following this, the RM and Transfer Module will undock from the AM. When they reach the right entry corridor, the RM will separate from the Transfer Module and make a ballistic re-entry into Earth's atmosphere before landing on solid ground with the lunar samples.
