ISRO Finalizes Mons Mouton's MM-4 as Landing Site for Chandrayaan-4 Lunar Mission
While the Chandrayaan-4 mission remains at least two years away from launch, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made a critical advancement by pinpointing a precise location on the Moon for its lander to touch down. The union government has formally approved Chandrayaan-4, which is engineered as a lunar sample-return mission, marking it as India's most intricate lunar endeavor to date.
Targeting a 2028 Launch for India's Sample-Return Ambition
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan had previously announced, "We are targeting 2028 for Chandrayaan-4." This timeline sets the stage for a mission that will not only land on the lunar surface but also collect and return samples to Earth, a feat that underscores India's growing prowess in space exploration.
Scrutinizing the Mons Mouton Region for the Perfect Spot
According to ISRO officials, the agency meticulously evaluated four specific sites within the Mons Mouton area, a region situated on the Moon. These sites were designated as MM-1, MM-3, MM-4, and MM-5. After thorough analysis, MM-4 emerged as the most suitable candidate for the landing.
The selection process involved detailed characterization of the terrain using high-resolution datasets from the Orbiter High Resolution Camera (OHRC). Officials explained that the four sites in the Mons Mouton area were fully assessed with respect to their terrain characteristics through multi-view image datasets.
Why MM-4 Was Chosen Over Other Potential Sites
The data revealed that a one-kilometer by one-kilometer area surrounding MM-4 possesses the least hazard percentage, with a mean slope of just 5 degrees and a mean height of 5,334 meters. Additionally, this area contains the highest number of hazard-free grids measuring 24 meters by 24 meters.
Officials stated, "Hence, MM-4 could be considered as the potential site of Chandrayaan-4 mission." This makes it an ideal location to ensure a safe and controlled landing, which is crucial for the mission's success.
Complex Architecture of the Chandrayaan-4 Mission
Chandrayaan-4 is designed with a sophisticated multi-module structure, comprising:
- A Propulsion Module (PM)
- A Descender Module (DM)
- An Ascender Module (AM)
- A Transfer Module (TM)
- A Re-entry Module (RM)
The DM and AM will be combined into a stack that will execute a soft landing on the lunar surface at the designated MM-4 site. The main soft landing will be managed by an appropriate descent trajectory for the AM+DM stack, utilizing advanced navigation, guidance, and control systems.
Ensuring a safe landing hinges on selecting a site that meets all the constraints of the lander, and MM-4's characteristics align perfectly with these requirements, minimizing risks and maximizing the chances of a successful touchdown.
This strategic site selection marks a pivotal step forward in ISRO's preparations for Chandrayaan-4, bringing India closer to achieving its goal of retrieving lunar samples and advancing our understanding of the Moon's composition and history.
