Chandrayaan-4 rover will be 12 times heavier than Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan; Here’s why that matters

ISRO scientists have devised an ambitious mission, not only aiming to land on the Moon but also to gather information through a sample return. This mission will elevate the country's space programme to new heights and position India among the nations conducting such crucial space operations.

India’s space mission is all set to take a leap as it has announced a large rover for the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission. ISRO’s Director of the Space Applications Centre, Nilesh Desai, said that the new rover will weigh 350 kilograms, overshadowing Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan rover.

Desai said, “The rover as part of this mission will weigh 350 kg which will be 12 times heavier than the previous rover.”

Increasing the size of the rover shows that ISRO has wide plans for lunar exploration and sample return.

ISRO scientists have devised an ambitious mission, not only aiming to land on the Moon but also to gather information through a sample return. This mission will elevate the country’s space programme to new heights and position India among the nations conducting such crucial space operations.

More payloads will be required for the increased weight of the Chandrayaan-4 rover. 

Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan had covered an area of 500x500m. But, Chadrayaan-4 ‘s rover is expected to travel 1kmx1km which will increase the scope of lunar research by covering a much larger region. 

Desai gave a tentative timeline for the Chandrayaan-4 mission. He said if the government gives its approval, the mission will be launched by 2030 , but the other ISRO scientists differ from him and talk about an early launch by 2027.