India Sets Ambitious Space Goals for 2040 and Beyond
India is set to send its first astronaut to the Moon by 2040. This move makes India the second country in the world to aim for a lunar landing by humans, following the United States which is planning its return to the Moon by 2025 with the Artemis III mission. However, India faces competition from China, which has set its sights on lunar exploration by 2030.
One unique feature of India's lunar ambitions is its dedication to cost-effective space exploration. In August, India achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first nation to land a spacecraft near the Moon's south pole. The mission was impressive in more than one way, with its budget-friendly cost of approximately £61 million ($74 million), less than half of Russia’s £164 million ($200 million) south pole lander, which ended in failure. While India has not disclosed the exact budget for its future lunar and space station projects, the nation's history of cost-effective missions suggests that it may adopt a similar approach.
In addition to their future moon mission, Prime Minister Modi has urged Indian scientists to work on interplanetary missions, including a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander. The announcement was made during a meeting to assess the progress of the Gaganyaan Mission, which aims to send a three-person crew into orbit and bring them safely back to Earth. The first manned space mission is scheduled for 2025, with several test flights planned in the coming years.
India's announcement signifies its resolve to push the boundaries of space exploration, inviting innovation and participation from private space players. The nation's reputation for cost-effective missions is an aspect the world eagerly watches to see if it holds true for its lunar and space station projects.
In Prime Minister Modi's words, "India's strides in the space sector over the past few years have been commendable, and we are building on them for more successes." The roadmap for moon exploration, lunar landings, and a future space station is set, and India is ready to reach for the stars.
