The Union Cabinet has given the green light for a fresh lunar expedition called "Chandrayaan-4," which will develop and showcase the necessary technologies for landing Indian astronauts on the moon and safely bringing them back to Earth.
According to a statement, the Chandrayaan-4 mission aims to establish the essential technologies for the safe landing of Indian astronauts on the moon (scheduled for 2040) and their return to Earth.
"Major technologies that are required for docking/undocking, landing, safe return to earth and also accomplish lunar sample collection and analysis would be demonstrated," it said.
The total fund requirement for the technology demonstration mission "Chandrayaan-4" is Rs 2,104.06 crore, the statement said.
ISRO will be responsible for developing the spacecraft and its launch. The mission is expected to be completed within 36 months of approval, with the participation of industry and academia.