{"id":"f-e550251d2f-249b1d5f-a30a-5f6f-a973-458c1aa5a467","title":"ISRO identifies safe Moon landing site for Chandrayaan‑4: Where it is, how it helps the mission","description":"The Vikram lander is expected to touch down on the Moon, collect soil and rock samples using robotic systems, and return them to Earth via the ascender module.","timestamp":1770648355,"category":"technology","headline":"ISRO identifies safe Moon landing site for Chandrayaan‑4: Where it is, how it helps the mission","modifiedHeadline":"ISRO identify safe landing site for Chandrayaan-4","subCategories":["scid_79b253f0"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"7b48871c-c993-4956-b43d-6f46f8e1b036","bundleTitle":"Today In India","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"472","fcSummary":"isro has identified a safe landing site near mons mouton on the moon's south pole for its chandrayaan-4 mission, india's first lunar sample return. the location offers a manageable slope, minimal rocks, and adequate sunlight, crucial for the mission's success in collecting and returning lunar samples.","summary":"ISRO identifies safe Moon landing site for Chandrayaan-4, aiming to collect and return samples to Earth.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/India_News/IN/en/cnbc-tv18/f-e550251d2f-249b1d5f-a30a-5f6f-a973-458c1aa5a467","sourceUrl":"https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/science/isro-identifies-safe-moon-landing-site-for-chandrayaan%e2%80%914-where-it-is-how-it-helps-the-mission-ws-l-19845906.htm","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/JxtLFYqrDBm0.webp","content":"The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has identified a safe and relatively flat area on the Moon for the upcoming Chandrayaan‑4 mission, India’s first lunar sample return effort.\n\n
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\n The Vikram lander is expected to touch down on the Moon, collect soil and rock samples using robotic systems, and return them to Earth via the ascender module.\n
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Chandrayaan‑4 landing site on the Moon\n
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\n The selected landing site is near Mons Mouton, in the Moon’s south polar region. Although the southern terrain is generally rugged, this site was chosen for its manageable slope, minimal large rocks, and adequate sunlight. These factors increase the chances of a successful landing and mission operations.\n
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Who found the safe patch on the Moon\n\n
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\n The discovery was made by researchers at ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC). They analysed high-resolution images from \nChandrayaan‑2’s orbiter and used digital elevation models to assess the terrain in detail.\n
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\n They examined five potential sites around Mons Mouton. These were labelled MM‑1, MM‑3, MM‑4, MM‑5, and one site discarded due to permanent darkness.\n
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\n Among these, MM‑4, located at 84.289 degrees south latitude and 32.808 degrees east longitude, was identified as the safest, with an average slope of around 5 degrees.\n
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How the safe spot helps the mission\n
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\n According to ISRO, the chosen site meets the mission’s critical requirements:\n
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\n Low slope and smooth terrain to reduce landing risk.\n\n
\n Fewer large rocks and obstacles for a safer touchdown.\n
\n Continuous sunlight exposure for 11-12 days to power instruments.\n
\n Direct radio communication with Earth and a surface with minimal craters.\n
\n The south polar region may contain water‑ice and other volatile materials.\n
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Chandrayaan‑4\n
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Chandrayaan‑4 will be ISRO’s most complex lunar operation to date. It will include a propulsion module, descender, ascender, transfer module, and re-entry module. The mission is currently scheduled for launch around 2028.\n
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\n This follows Chandrayaan‑3’s historic soft landing on the Moon’s south polar region on August 23, 2023. It made India the fourth country to land on the Moon. The Vikram lander and Pragyan rover carried out surface experiments at the time.\n","readDurationInMinutes":"4","author":{"name":"CNBC TV18","logo":"https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/bubble/jpeg/ecc3d19b-fc52-4a39-881c-5b0936ae723b.jpeg"},"ism":false,"analyticsResponses":[{"measurementId":"383191425","type":"COMSCORE"}],"pointerSummary":["ISRO picks safe Moon site for Chandrayaan-4. Mission aims to return lunar samples to Earth."],"tags":["ISRO","Chandrayaan4","MoonMission","LunarSampleReturn","VikramLander","MonsMouton","SouthPole","SpaceExploration","IndiaInSpace","SpaceApplicationsCentre","MM4","LunarLanding","Chandrayaan2","Chandrayaan3","SpaceTechnology"],"consent":true,"redirectionEnabled":false}

ISRO identifies safe Moon landing site for Chandrayaan‑4: Where it is, how it helps the mission

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