Isro ditches mega rocket, opts for cost-effective docking plan or 2040 crewed Moon mission

India plans multi-launch approach for crewed moon mission

For decades, massive rockets have taken astronauts to the Moon. But India has a different plan for its first crewed lunar mission. Instead of one huge rocket, ISRO will use multiple launches. The agency will dock modules in space, assembling the spacecraft in orbit.

The mission is set for 2040, marking a major step. ISRO will build on its recent success in space docking.

A Cost-Effective Path to the Moon
ISRO chairman V Narayanan explained the strategy to TOI. "A single large rocket is one option. But what happens to it later?" he said. "We must consider cost and long-term benefits."

India will send two modules separately and dock them in space. This builds on the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), tested earlier this year.

On 16 January, ISRO completed its first-ever orbital docking. Two 220-kg satellites, initially 11 km apart, successfully connected. They orbited Earth at 28,400 km/h during docking.

This achievement is crucial for ISRO’s upcoming projects. It will support India’s space station and future lunar missions.

Perfecting Docking for Future Missions
Docking in space is complex, requiring extreme precision. Narayanan compared it to aligning two fast-moving buses. "At 100 km/h, even a slight mistake can be costly," he said.

SpaDeX’s docked satellites now function as a single unit. The next challenge is transferring power between modules. This is essential for Chandrayaan-4, which will involve multiple dockings.

More docking trials are planned from mid-March. "This isn’t a one-time test," Narayanan said. "We must succeed under different conditions."

SpaDeX will help ISRO fine-tune docking methods. Engineers will test propulsion, alignment, and automated controls. Every step will bring India closer to long-term space missions.

Laying the Groundwork for a Space Station
India’s planned space station will also rely on docking. Its five modules will launch separately and assemble in orbit. The government has already approved the first module.

ISRO is taking a careful approach, testing each step before launch. "We simulate everything before real tests," Narayanan said. "Only when fully confident do we proceed."

Through SpaDeX, ISRO is mastering orbital docking. These skills are vital for deep-space missions. With each step, India moves closer to its Moon landing goal.