The Union Cabinet has approved ISRO’s Chandrayaan-4, Venus Orbiter Mission, Bharatiya Antariksh Station, and Next Generation Launch Vehicle, with over ₹22,750 crore allocated. These missions, set for launches between 2027 and 2028, will boost India’s space exploration, advancing lunar and planetary studies, space station development, and reusable launch technology.

In a move of great significance, the Union cabinet cleared four space missions that will mark a new beginning in exploring space under the leadership of ISRO. Included in the newly approved projects are Chandrayaan-4, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), and Indian space station program as part of Gaganyaan. These mega projects form part of India’s vision to pursue further expansion in space and self-dependence in new-age space technologies. In addition, the approval encompasses the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), India’s most critical upgrade in its launch capabilities.

Chandrayaan-4: The Beginning of a New Era in India’s Lunar Exploration Program

Chandrayaan-4 will cost ₹2,104.06 crore and be a launch slated for 2027-lunar mission. It will also have the feature of bringing lunar rock samples back to Earth after successful soft landing on the Moon. Chandrayaan-4 will bring forth totally new technologies like lunar docking, precision landing, sampling collection, and a safe return to Earth. “It would make everyone proud that Chandrayaan-4 has been cleared by the Cabinet! This mission will boost innovation, support academia, and make India even more self-reliant in space technologies.”.

The mission will also pave the way for a future Indian manned mission to the Moon, scheduled for 2040. Chandrayaan-4 will probably take 36 months to finish, and its sanctioned costs include development of the spacecraft, two launches using the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3), and deep space network support.

The Venus Orbiter Mission: Unveiling Venus’s Mysteries

The other major sanction by the Cabinet is for the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) that comes with an expenditure of ₹1,236 crores. ISRO will unravel the mystery of Earth’s closest planetary neighbour, Venus as an orbital spacecraft goes to study its atmosphere and geology. Often labelled a “sister planet” to Earth, Venus went down a different evolutionary path after experiencing a runaway greenhouse effect making it hostile to life.

It is due to roll out in March 2028 and will afford scientists a chance to learn why planetary environments change differently and how changes in climate affect planetary systems. Importantly, the mission will give precious data that may answer scientists’ quests and take them more forward in knowing Venus and its atmospheric conditions and will add to world knowledge related to planetary sciences.

The Bharatiya Antariksh Station: India’s Space Ambitions Stretch

Third and just as important, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, or BAS, is India’s space station. The Cabinet has already approved the first module of this ambitious project under the Gaganyaan program. BAS-1 will arrive in 2028, but the full space station will not be fully operational until 2035.

Once accomplished, this will be the 52-tonne space station orbiting 400 km above Earth and be a research platform for astronauts to conduct experiments in microgravity, astronomy, and Earth observation. This endeavour has been added another ₹11,170 crore more to upscale the Gaganyaan. Support for extended periods of astronaut stay in space up to **15-20 days** will definitely make a place for BAS as one among the leading players in space research and exploration.

Next Generation Launch Vehicle: Affordable Access to Space

This amount has been sanctioned for developing the Next Generation Launch Vehicle, or NGLV. This will significantly enhance the launch capabilities of India by having payloads three times that of the existing systems at half the cost of LVM-3. NGLV has promised to be lighter in weight, have lesser emissions, be more reusable, and come with green propulsion systems, low cost, while having an access to space for all future missions.

The sanction granted by the Cabinet included developmental flights of three for the NGLV apart from setting up capital facilities, program management, and the launch of a campaign. This new technology will help India remain competitive in the global space market, opening doors to more commercial partnerships and ventures in space.

Leap towards Self-Reliance and Innovation

These four crucial space missions seek the approval of the Union Cabinet, and with this move, India is actually taking big strides toward becoming a **self-reliant space power**. The missions would aid ISRO in enhancing its innovation capability while providing long-term benefits to academia, industry, and science enthusiasts.

India’s lunar and planetary exploration missions as well as the national space station, along with the reusable launch vehicle are accolades towards proving India’s steadfast ambition and capability to lead in space research and technology.

The romance for space exploration could only be more overwhelming, and with one of the most extraordinary missions ever undertaken-aside from the **Bharatiya Antariksh Station** and the Next Generation Launch Vehicle-the **Chandrayaan-4** and the **Venus Orbiter Mission-will propel India to take one giant leap at the helm of an industry.