In a big boost to India’s space programme, the Union Cabinet on September 18 approved an ambitious line-up, including Chandrayaan-4 mission, expanding the planetary exploration to Venus, a space station and a next-generation launch vehicle.

“These developments mark significant milestones for India’s space ambitions, expanding its focus beyond the moon and Mars to include Venus and human spaceflight capabilities,” union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while briefing the media on the decisions taken during the meeting.

Chandrayaan-4: India’s return to the moon

India’s journey to the moon is set to continue with Chandrayaan-4, a technology demonstration mission that aims not only to land but also return safely to earth with lunar samples.

“The Chandrayaan-4 mission will develop and demonstrate the technologies to come back to earth after successfully landing on the moon and collecting samples,” Vaishnaw said.

The mission, which will cost Rs 2,104 crore, will be spearheaded by Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and is expected to be completed within 36 months.

This will be a critical step towards enabling India's manned mission to the moon by 2040.

"This Chandrayaan-4 mission will achieve the foundational technology capabilities for an Indian landing on the moon and return safely back to earth,” the government said in a statement.

Venus Orbiter Mission 

The cabinet also approved a Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) to study the Venusian atmosphere, geology, and surface. “The Venus Orbiter Mission is a significant step towards the vision of exploring Venus, beyond the moon and Mars,” the statement said.

With an allocation of Rs 1,236 crore, the Venus mission is expected to launch in 2028. It aims to provide critical data on Venus, a planet believed to have once been similar to earth, to help scientists understand planetary evolution.

"The mission offers an invaluable aid in understanding the evolution of the sister planets, both Venus and earth,” the statement said.

Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035

India’s space vision has been further extended with the approval for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), which will serve as the country’s first space station by 2035.

The initial module of the station is expected to be launched by 2028 under the expanded Gaganyaan programme.

“Approval by the Cabinet is given for the development of the first module of BAS and related missions,” Vaishnaw said.

The station will play a key role in long-duration human space missions, which will be crucial for lunar exploration and beyond.

Next Generation Launch Vehicle 

To back India’s ambitious space goals, the cabinet also approved the development of a next generation launch vehicle (NGLV), capable of carrying larger payloads and designed with reusability in mind.

“NGLV will have three times the present payload capability and is being developed with maximal participation from the Indian industry,” the government said.

The NGLV project, with an allocated budget of Rs 8,240 crore, will include three demonstration flights over the next eight years. This technology will be essential for future human spaceflights and the launch of communication and earth observation satellites.

India’s space ambitions are set to grow significantly during the Amrit Kaal, as the government aims to establish a space station by 2035 and complete a crewed moon landing by 2040.

“The vision for space in the Amrit Kaal envisages the creation of an operational Bharatiya Antariksh Station and an Indian crewed lunar mission by 2040,” the statement said.

Isro will lead these projects with extensive support from Indian industry and academia, ensuring the spin-off of space technology to other sectors of the economy and creating significant employment opportunities.

With a new generation of space missions on the horizon, India is positioning itself as a global space power, poised to play a pivotal role in humanity’s exploration of the moon, Mars, Venus and beyond, Vaishnaw said.