The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has received Central government approval for the Chandrayaan-5 mission, an ambitious lunar exploration project, announced ISRO Chairman V Narayanan.

Speaking at an event in Chennai on Sunday honoring his appointment as ISRO chief, Narayanan revealed that the mission, unlike Chandrayaan-3’s 25-kg rover 'Pragyaan,' will deploy a 250-kg rover to study the Moon’s surface.

India’s lunar program has progressed steadily. Chandrayaan-1 (2008) mapped the Moon’s chemistry and geology, while Chandrayaan-2 (2019) achieved 98% success, with its orbiter still sending high-resolution images despite a partial landing failure. Chandrayaan-3 marked a historic triumph with its Vikram Lander’s soft landing on the lunar south pole on August 23, 2023, showcasing India’s end-to-end lunar capabilities.

“Just three days ago, we secured approval for Chandrayaan-5, which we’ll undertake with Japan,” Narayanan said. This collaboration signals a leap in India’s space ambitions. While Chandrayaan-4, slated for 2027, aims to return lunar samples, Chandrayaan-5 will focus on advanced surface exploration with its heavier rover.

Narayanan, also Secretary of the Department of Space, outlined ISRO’s broader vision, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program and the establishment of the Bharatiya Space Station. The Chennai event underscored ISRO’s growing global stature as it builds on past successes to push boundaries in space exploration. With Chandrayaan-5, India and Japan aim to deepen humanity’s understanding of the Moon, cementing ISRO’s role in cutting-edge space research.