ISRO Sets 2027 Window for Lunar Sample-Return Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation has set a 2027 launch window for its next lunar mission, which will attempt to become the country's first robotic sample-return flight. The mission builds directly on the descent and landing systems validated during the earlier Vikram lander touchdown.

Officials described the sample-return architecture as the most complex the agency has attempted, involving a lunar ascent stage, an orbital rendezvous, and a re-entry capsule designed to survive high-speed atmospheric entry.

The agency said design reviews for the ascent vehicle are complete and that integration testing would begin later this year at its satellite propulsion facility.

A successful mission would place the country among a small group of nations to have returned lunar samples to Earth using an uncrewed spacecraft.