India's space agency, ISRO, is taking a distinctive approach for its planned crewed lunar mission, set for 2040. Unlike NASA, which relies on large rockets for lunar missions, ISRO will utilise multiple smaller launches and advanced docking technology to assemble the spacecraft in orbit. This strategy was articulated by ISRO Chairman V Narayanan during an interview with the Times of India.

"One option is to build a huge rocket and take a single module. But what will you do with that rocket thereafter? Economically, we have to understand and really look at all aspects. So, we are not going to build a huge rocket. We are going to have multiple modules," the ISRO chief told TOI.


India is making significant strides in its space exploration ambitions, with plans to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040 and establish its own space station by 2035. These goals were articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reflect the country's commitment to advancing human spaceflight capabilities.

Scott Manley, an astronomer and rocket scientist, also praised India's move calling it "the right choice." "India making the right choice for a lunar landing architecture. Still a long time in the future but India have all the skills needed," he wrote on X.

India aims to land its first astronaut on the Moon by 2040. This mission will utilise a cost-effective approach involving multiple launches and advanced docking technology, rather than relying on a single large rocket. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has already begun testing these docking technologies, which were successfully demonstrated during the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) earlier this year. The upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission will also play a crucial role in developing the necessary technologies for lunar landing and sample return, further preparing India for its ambitious Moon mission.

Establishment of A Space Station by 2035

India's plans include the creation of the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (Indian Space Station) by 2035. This station will consist of five modules that will be launched separately and assembled in orbit using docking technology. The first module's development has already been approved, with expectations for it to be operational by 2035. The space station will serve as a hub for scientific research and future missions, including those to the Moon and potentially beyond.

The advancements in docking technology are essential not only for the Moon mission but also for the assembly of the space station in orbit. ISRO's focus on mastering these techniques is seen as critical for long-term space missions, with ongoing tests planned to refine these capabilities. Additionally, ISRO is exploring missions to Venus and Mars as part of its broader vision for space exploration.

American Experts All Praise For ISRO's Idea

American experts have expressed admiration for the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) innovative approach to space missions, particularly its decision to forgo reliance on large rockets in favour of cost-effective strategies. 

Eric Berger, a prominent spaceflight reporter, highlighted this perspective in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter). He criticised NASA and the U.S. government for their significant financial investments in the Space Launch System (SLS), which is intended for missions like Artemis to the Moon. Berger emphasized that ISRO's method of using multiple smaller launches and in-space refuelling presents a more sustainable model for future space exploration.

ISRO's strategy includes utilizing existing technologies and optimizing resources, which has led to substantial cost savings compared to traditional methods employed by agencies like NASA. For instance, ISRO has successfully launched missions such as Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan at a fraction of the cost that similar missions would incur under NASA's framework. This efficiency stems from ISRO's practice of conducting most operations in-house and minimizing pre-launch testing costs.

The Indian agency plans to further develop this approach for its upcoming crewed lunar mission slated for 2040, which will involve assembling spacecraft modules in orbit rather than relying on a single massive rocket. This innovative strategy aligns with Berger's view that distributed launch systems are key to sustainable space exploration.

Concerns regarding the Artemis Program's financial implications have been raised by various stakeholders, including critics like Berger. The program is projected to incur costs totalling approximately $93 billion from 2012 to 2025, a figure that has sparked debate about its sustainability and efficiency in achieving lunar exploration goals.

The Space Launch System (SLS), a key component of the Artemis Program, has been particularly criticized for its exorbitant expenses. Estimates indicate that each launch of the SLS will cost around $4.1 billion, significantly higher than initial projections. This high cost is attributed to the rocket's non-reusable design, which limits the frequency of launches to about once every two years. Critics argue that this financial burden detracts from NASA's ability to fund other scientific missions and initiatives, leading to cancellations or delays in promising projects.

Additionally, the ongoing construction of another SLS model for Artemis-II, scheduled for launch in late 2026, raises further questions about the program's cost-effectiveness. The complexities and delays associated with the SLS have led some to suggest that alternative solutions, such as SpaceX's reusable rockets, could provide more efficient and less costly options for lunar missions.

Mashable Report