India’s Crewed Moon Landing by 2040: Roadmap and Milestones
Why in the news
In the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Jitendra Singh declared that an Indian astronaut will reach the lunar surface by 2040, as part of a space-power roadmap.
Key facts
- Mission: long-term national vision for a crewed lunar landing by 2040.
- Objectives: prove capacity for human exploration beyond Earth, build homegrown lunar habitation and resource-use skills, lift India’s role in the $45 billion space economy.
- Approach: home-built launchers, life-support and surface technology; joint missions with advanced agencies.
Space timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Vyommitra: uncrewed test flight carrying a humanoid robot |
| 2027 | Gaganyaan: first human spaceflight to low Earth orbit |
| 2035 | Bharat Antariksh Station: indigenous space station |
| 2040 | Crewed Moon landing |
Significance
- Boosts India’s space standing and national development.
Exam angle
- Announced in: Lok Sabha, by Jitendra Singh.
- Linked vision: Viksit Bharat @2047.
- Humanoid robot: Vyommitra.