Early Milestone in India Lunar Programme
India Finalises Lunar South Pole Target for Chandrayaan 4: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has identified a precise landing site for Chandrayaan-4, even though the mission is targeted for launch in 2028. This marks a major preparatory step for India’s first-ever lunar sample-return mission.
The project has received approval from the Union Government and is considered the most technically complex lunar mission undertaken by India so far. Early site confirmation allows detailed planning of navigation and descent systems.
Static GK fact: ISRO was established in 1969 and is headquartered in Bengaluru.
Strategic Focus on the South Polar Region
The selected site lies in the Mons Mouton region near the Moon’s south pole. This region has gained global scientific attention because of its proximity to permanently shadowed craters that may contain water ice deposits.
ISRO examined four candidate sites—MM-1, MM-3, MM-4 and MM-5—within Mons Mouton. After analysing extensive remote sensing data, MM-4 was finalised as the safest and most suitable landing location.
Static GK Tip: The Moon’s south pole is of high interest because some craters there never receive direct sunlight.
Terrain Assessment and Safety Parameters
The landing decision was based on high-resolution imagery from the Orbiter High Resolution Camera (OHRC). Detailed hazard mapping showed that a 1 km × 1 km zone around MM-4 had the lowest obstacle density.
The selected region has a mean slope of around 5 degrees and an average elevation of approximately 5,334 metres. It also contains the highest number of safe landing grids measuring 24 m × 24 m, which are crucial for precision landing.
Such terrain analysis reduces risks during the final descent phase and increases mission reliability.
Mission Architecture and Landing Strategy
Chandrayaan-4 is designed as a multi-module mission. It consists of a Propulsion Module, Descender Module, Ascender Module, Transfer Module, and Re-entry Module.
The Descender and Ascender Modules will soft-land together at MM-4. After collecting lunar samples, the Ascender Module will lift off and transfer materials to the return system.
The mission demands highly accurate navigation, guidance, and control systems, especially during powered descent.
Static GK fact: India successfully achieved a south polar landing with Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023, becoming the first country to land near that region.
Timeline and Strategic Importance
According to ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, the agency aims for a 2028 launch window. Early identification of the landing site helps engineers refine descent trajectories and spacecraft design years in advance.
The mission will strengthen India’s position among advanced spacefaring nations capable of executing lunar sample-return operations. It will also provide valuable data on the Moon’s geology and potential volatile resources near the south pole.
If successful, India will join a select group of nations that have demonstrated end-to-end extraterrestrial sample return capability.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
India Finalises Lunar South Pole Target for Chandrayaan 4:
| Topic | Detail |
| Mission Name | Chandrayaan-4 |
| Space Agency | Indian Space Research Organisation |
| Landing Region | Mons Mouton near Moon’s south pole |
| Selected Site | MM-4 |
| Launch Target | 2028 |
| Mission Type | Lunar sample-return mission |
| Key Instrument Used | Orbiter High Resolution Camera |
| Major Objective | Safe landing and return of lunar samples |
