What is the story about?
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.
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.
Chandrayaan‑4 landing site on the Moon
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.
Who found the safe patch on the Moon
The discovery was made by researchers at ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC). They analysed high-resolution images from
Chandrayaan‑2’s orbiter and used digital elevation models to assess the terrain in detail.
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.
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.
How the safe spot helps the mission
According to ISRO, the chosen site meets the mission’s critical requirements:
Low slope and smooth terrain to reduce landing risk.
Fewer large rocks and obstacles for a safer touchdown.
Continuous sunlight exposure for 11-12 days to power instruments.
Direct radio communication with Earth and a surface with minimal craters.
The south polar region may contain water‑ice and other volatile materials.
Chandrayaan‑4
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.
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.
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.
Chandrayaan‑4 landing site on the Moon
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.
Who found the safe patch on the Moon
The discovery was made by researchers at ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC). They analysed high-resolution images from
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.
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.
How the safe spot helps the mission
According to ISRO, the chosen site meets the mission’s critical requirements:
Low slope and smooth terrain to reduce landing risk.
Fewer large rocks and obstacles for a safer touchdown.
Continuous sunlight exposure for 11-12 days to power instruments.
Direct radio communication with Earth and a surface with minimal craters.
The south polar region may contain water‑ice and other volatile materials.
Chandrayaan‑4
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.
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.
