The next era of lunar exploration could see NASA and ISRO working more closely as the United States looks to expand its presence on the Moon.

NASA wants future lunar exploration to become bigger, faster and more cost-efficient, with ambitious plans for a sustained human presence and a potential base on the Moon. India’s space agency ISRO could play an important role in this new phase of lunar exploration.

India has already demonstrated its growing capabilities in lunar missions, making ISRO an increasingly important partner in international space exploration.

From cost-effective technology to successful lunar missions, India’s space programme has attracted global attention. The potential NASA-ISRO partnership could open a new chapter in the race to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon.

Cheap, Fast, Successful: Why NASA Wants Isro on the Moon  | GRAVITAS 

India's space sector has entered a historic new era after the successful maiden launch of Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1, the country's first privately developed orbital rocket. The landmark mission marks a major milestone for India's rapidly expanding private space ecosystem and strengthens the country's ambitions to become a global space powerhouse. In an exclusive interview, IN-SPACe Chairman Dr. Pawan Goenka explains how the Vikram-1 mission will reshape India's commercial space industry, increase launch capabilities, boost private participation, and help achieve the ambitious target of growing India's space economy from $8-9 billion to $44 billion over the coming years.


Vikram-1 Success Marks New Era for India's Space Economy | IN-SPACe Chairman Exclusive

<p>The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the launch of its 100th mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in January 2025.</p>
<p>According to Chairman S Somanath, ISRO will use its Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) to launch the second-generation navigation satellite NVS-02.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This milestone follows the successful launch of PSLV-C60 mission on December 30, 2024.</p>
<p>It deployed two spacecraft for the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) into a circular orbit around the Earth.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Previous Launches&nbsp;</h2>
<p>The PSLV-C60 launch, initially scheduled for 9:58 PM, was delayed to 10:00 PM to ensure optimal separation from other satellites in orbit.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Earlier in May, the GSLV-F12 successfully deployed the NVS-01 satellite, marking the first of the second-generation satellites designed for the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system.</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-introduces-new-mars-helicopter-design-following-ingenuitys-success-8580942">NASA introduces new Mars helicopter design following Ingenuity's success</a></strong></p>
<h2>NVS-02</h2>
<p>NVS-02 will be the ninth satellite in the navigation with Indian constellation. The launch will have two kinds of payloads: navigational and ranging, just like its predecessor, NVS-01.</p>
<p>The navigational payload will transmit signals to Earth.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It transmits signals by using three spectrum bands: L1, L5, and S.</p>
<p>It includes a Rubidium atomic clock to ensure precise timing. These clocks measure one second by counting the oscillations of rubidium-87 atoms and are accurate enough to maintain time within a one-second deviation over 100 million years. &nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-successfully-launches-pslv-spadex-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-key-space-docking-mission-8579030">ISRO successfully launches PSLV SpaDex: All you need to know about the space&nbsp;docking&nbsp;mission</a></strong></p>
<p>The ranging payload features a transponder that enables navigation satellites to send time-stamped signals to ground-based receivers.</p>
<p>These signals are processed by end-users to determine their exact position, speed and time.</p>
<p>This system ensures continuous and reliable service regardless of Earth's weather conditions.</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Science & Tech: The mission will utilise the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle or GSLV, to deploy the navigation satellite NVS-02, enhancing India's navigation capabilities.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the launch of its 100th mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in January 2025. According to Chairman S Somanath, ISRO will use its Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) to launch the second-generation navigation satellite NVS-02. This milestone follows the successful launch of PSLV-C60 mission on December 30, 2024. It deployed two spacecraft for the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) into a circular orbit around the Earth. Previous Launches The PSLV-C60 launch, initially scheduled for 9:58 PM, was delayed to 10:00 PM to ensure optimal separation from other satellites in orbit. Earlier in May, the GSLV-F12 successfully deployed the NVS-01 satellite, marking the first of the second-generation satellites designed for the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system. Also read: NASA introduces new Mars helicopter design following Ingenuity's success NVS-02 NVS-02 will be the ninth satellite in the navigation with Indian constellation. The launch will have two kinds of payloads: navigational and ranging, just like its predecessor, NVS-01. The navigational payload will transmit signals to Earth. It transmits signals by using three spectrum bands: L1, L5, and S. It includes a Rubidium atomic clock to ensure precise timing. These clocks measure one second by counting the oscillations of rubidium-87 atoms and are accurate enough to maintain time within a one-second deviation over 100 million years. Also read: ISRO successfully launches PSLV SpaDex: All you need to know about the space docking mission The ranging payload features a transponder that enables navigation satellites to send time-stamped signals to ground-based receivers. These signals are processed by end-users to determine their exact position, speed and time. This system ensures continuous and reliable service regardless of Earth's weather conditions. (With inputs from agencies)

ISRO to launch 100th mission on-board GSLV in January

<p>China is set to debut new rockets with advanced capabilities in 2025, including new variants of its Long March series and commercial launch vehicles. These new projects aim to support China&rsquo;s growing space ambitions that include space station cargo missions, mega-constellation satellite projects and commercial contracts.</p>
<h2>New Long March Rockets</h2>
<p>The Long March 8A is expected to launch on January 19. It has been developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT).</p>
<p>It features a more powerful second-stage rocket and a larger payload, increasing its capacity to a 700-kilometre sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) from 5,000 to 7,000 kgs.</p>
<p>The Long March 12A, a reusable variant of the expendable Long March 12, is also under development. It may incorporate methane-liquid oxygen engines and is scheduled for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTVL) test in January 2025.</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sunita-williams-witnesses-16-new-year-sunrises-science-explains-how-8582786">Sunita Williams witnesses 16 New Year sunrises. Science explains how</a></strong></p>
<h2>Commercial Rockets</h2>
<p>Several Chinese private companies are preparing new rockets to compete in the space sector. They include:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Zhuque-3:</strong> Landspace plans the first orbital launch of this rocket, with payload capacities ranging from 12,500 to 21,000 kilograms depending on recovery options.</li>
<li><strong>Tianlong-3:</strong> Space Pioneer aims to launch this rocket, benchmarked against SpaceX&rsquo;s Falcon 9, following an earlier testing mishap.</li>
<li><strong>Pallas-1 and Ceres-2:</strong> Galactic Energy is developing these rockets, designed for reusability and increased payload capacities.</li>
<li><strong>Nebula-1:</strong> Deep Blue Aerospace plans to launch and recover this two-stage rocket with 3D-printed engines.</li>
<li><strong>Kinetica-2:</strong> CAS Space is preparing this reusable kerosene-liquid oxygen rocket to support low-cost space station cargo services.</li>
<li><strong>Hyperbola-3:</strong> iSpace is transitioning to kerolox rocket after setbacks with its Hyperbola-1.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-introduces-new-mars-helicopter-design-following-ingenuitys-success-8580942">NASA introduces new Mars helicopter design following Ingenuity's success</a></strong></p>
<h2>Implications</h2>
<p>These new rocket projects aim to enhance China&rsquo;s presence in space, increase launch rates, and lower costs.</p>
<p>While the Chinese domestic space market is competitive, these developments are expected to support national space projects and potentially attract international payloads leading to higher revenue from the space sector.</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

Science & tech: China's space sector is preparing for significant advancements by focusing on the development of reusable rockets to enhance launch efficiency.

China is set to debut new rockets with advanced capabilities in 2025, including new variants of its Long March series and commercial launch vehicles. These new projects aim to support China’s growing space ambitions that include space station cargo missions, mega-constellation satellite projects and commercial contracts. New Long March Rockets The Long March 8A is expected to launch on January 19. It has been developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). It features a more powerful second-stage rocket and a larger payload, increasing its capacity to a 700-kilometre sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) from 5,000 to 7,000 kgs. The Long March 12A, a reusable variant of the expendable Long March 12, is also under development. It may incorporate methane-liquid oxygen engines and is scheduled for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTVL) test in January 2025. Also read: Sunita Williams witnesses 16 New Year sunrises. Science explains how Commercial Rockets Several Chinese private companies are preparing new rockets to compete in the space sector. They include: Zhuque-3: Landspace plans the first orbital launch of this rocket, with payload capacities ranging from 12,500 to 21,000 kilograms depending on recovery options. Tianlong-3: Space Pioneer aims to launch this rocket, benchmarked against SpaceX’s Falcon 9, following an earlier testing mishap. Pallas-1 and Ceres-2: Galactic Energy is developing these rockets, designed for reusability and increased payload capacities. Nebula-1: Deep Blue Aerospace plans to launch and recover this two-stage rocket with 3D-printed engines. Kinetica-2: CAS Space is preparing this reusable kerosene-liquid oxygen rocket to support low-cost space station cargo services. Hyperbola-3: iSpace is transitioning to kerolox rocket after setbacks with its Hyperbola-1. Also read: NASA introduces new Mars helicopter design following Ingenuity's success Implications These new rocket projects aim to enhance China’s presence in space, increase launch rates, and lower costs. While the Chinese domestic space market is competitive, these developments are expected to support national space projects and potentially attract international payloads leading to higher revenue from the space sector. (With inputs from agencies)

China to introduce advanced Long March and commercial rockets in 2025

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidMuZXOZ0J8V4b" /><meta charset="utf-8" />The Indian Space agency ISRO announced that the Chandrayaan-3 Lander module is in 'normal health' and that it reduced its orbit for the first time. This is the maiden manoeuvre to be performed individually by the lander module. It was on Thursday (August 17) that the integrated spacecraft had separated into two parts — Lander Module (LM) and Propulsion Module (PM). Till Thursday, all manoeuvres of the integrated spacecraft (LM and PM), were being performed by the Propulsion module.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chandrayaan-3 Mission:<br />
The Lander Module (LM) health is normal.<br />
<br />
LM successfully underwent a deboosting operation that reduced its orbit to 113 km x 157 km.<br />
<br />
The second deboosting operation is scheduled for August 20, 2023, around 0200 Hrs. IST <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chandrayaan_3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chandrayaan_3</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ch3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ch3</a> <a href="https://t.co/0PVxV8Gw5z">pic.twitter.com/0PVxV8Gw5z</a></p>
— ISRO (@isro) <a href="https://twitter.com/isro/status/1692484515963588645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Vikram lander's maiden de-boosting manoeuvre on Friday has taken it into a 113kmx157km orbit. The subsequent de-boosting will be done in the wee hours of Sunday (0200hrs IST), said ISRO.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the Propulsion module continues to orbit the moon for a few years, the Lander module is headed towards the Lunar surface, in preparation for its soft-landing scheduled for 23rd August.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/chandrayaan-3-isro-releases-close-up-images-of-moon-deboosting-procedure-initiated-626706"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Chandrayaan-3: ISRO releases close-up images of moon, deboosting procedure initiated</strong></a></p>

<p>With the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module included, India now has three of its crafts circling the moon. This includes Chandrayaan-1(defunct), Chandrayaan-2 orbiter and the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module. India commenced its lunar exploration journey in 2008 with Chandrayaan-1 and then followed it up with Chandrayaan-2 in 2019, and Chandrayaan-3 in July this year.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The 4 vehicles in Chandrayaan-3 mission&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Any spacefaring mission is like a relay race - there are many performers and each one completes their task and hands over to the next. On July 14th, the LVM3 rocket was the vehicle that carried the 3.9 tonne spacecraft (comprising propulsion module, lander and rover) into the earth's orbit. Performing its task in about 16 minutes, India's largest rocket injected the satellites into the desired orbit.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Chandrayaan-3: India's lunar mission captures global interest</strong></p>

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<p>Then on, the craft's propulsion module gradually pushed and steered the craft away from the earth, using its onboard engines. Until July 31st, the craft orbited the earth and then fired its engines to gain more velocity, pushing itself to rendezvous with the moon in a few days (Lunar transfer trajectory). On August 5th, the craft reached the vicinity of the moon and fired its engines to slow itself down, reduce its orbit and get captured by Lunar gravity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>From August 5th till August 17th, the craft has been circling the moon. Once in a few days, the craft retro-fired its engines to slow down and reduce its orbit and get closer to the Lunar surface. On Thursday, 17th August, as the craft was in a 153kmx163km orbit, the propulsion module and lander module separated. This means that the propulsion module has completed its core task of getting the craft to an orbit around the moon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Henceforth, it will be the responsibility of the Vikram lander to test its cameras, sensors and engines, as it prepares for a Lunar landing. The lander craft will commence reducing its orbit on Friday and eventually cut down its velocity from a few kilometres per second to 1 metre per second, which is the ideal speed for lunar soft-landing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the successful soft-landing, the lander is meant to open its ramp and allow the 'Pragyan' rover to roll out onto the Lunar surface. In close coordination with each other, the lander, rover and propulsion module would then carry out their respective scientific tasks and send data back to Earth. As far as the lander and rover are concerned, ISRO is looking at an operational life of one Lunar day or two weeks on Earth. However, after the lunar night passes and the new dawn breaks, when the sunlight is available, it is possible that the lander and rover come back to life.&nbsp;</p>

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The Indian Space agency ISRO announced that the Chandrayaan-3 Lander module is in 'normal health' and that it reduced its orbit for the first time. This is the maiden manoeuvre to be performed individually by the lander module.

The Indian Space agency ISRO announced that the Chandrayaan-3 Lander module is in 'normal health' and that it reduced its orbit for the first time. This is the maiden manoeuvre to be performed individually by the lander module. It was on Thursday (August 17) that the integrated spacecraft had separated into two parts — Lander Module (LM) and Propulsion Module (PM). Till Thursday, all manoeuvres of the integrated spacecraft (LM and PM), were being performed by the Propulsion module. Chandrayaan-3 Mission: The Lander Module (LM) health is normal. LM successfully underwent a deboosting operation that reduced its orbit to 113 km x 157 km. The second deboosting operation is scheduled for August 20, 2023, around 0200 Hrs. IST #Chandrayaan_3#Ch3 pic.twitter.com/0PVxV8Gw5z — ISRO (@isro) August 18, 2023 × Vikram lander's maiden de-boosting manoeuvre on Friday has taken it into a 113kmx157km orbit. The subsequent de-boosting will be done in the wee hours of Sunday (0200hrs IST), said ISRO. While the Propulsion module continues to orbit the moon for a few years, the Lander module is headed towards the Lunar surface, in preparation for its soft-landing scheduled for 23rd August. Also read: Chandrayaan-3: ISRO releases close-up images of moon, deboosting procedure initiated With the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module included, India now has three of its crafts circling the moon. This includes Chandrayaan-1(defunct), Chandrayaan-2 orbiter and the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module. India commenced its lunar exploration journey in 2008 with Chandrayaan-1 and then followed it up with Chandrayaan-2 in 2019, and Chandrayaan-3 in July this year. The 4 vehicles in Chandrayaan-3 mission Any spacefaring mission is like a relay race - there are many performers and each one completes their task and hands over to the next. On July 14th, the LVM3 rocket was the vehicle that carried the 3.9 tonne spacecraft (comprising propulsion module, lander and rover) into the earth's orbit. Performing its task in about 16 minutes, India's largest rocket injected the satellites into the desired orbit. Watch: Chandrayaan-3: India's lunar mission captures global interest × Then on, the craft's propulsion module gradually pushed and steered the craft away from the earth, using its onboard engines. Until July 31st, the craft orbited the earth and then fired its engines to gain more velocity, pushing itself to rendezvous with the moon in a few days (Lunar transfer trajectory). On August 5th, the craft reached the vicinity of the moon and fired its engines to slow itself down, reduce its orbit and get captured by Lunar gravity. From August 5th till August 17th, the craft has been circling the moon. Once in a few days, the craft retro-fired its engines to slow down and reduce its orbit and get closer to the Lunar surface. On Thursday, 17th August, as the craft was in a 153kmx163km orbit, the propulsion module and lander module separated. This means that the propulsion module has completed its core task of getting the craft to an orbit around the moon. Henceforth, it will be the responsibility of the Vikram lander to test its cameras, sensors and engines, as it prepares for a Lunar landing. The lander craft will commence reducing its orbit on Friday and eventually cut down its velocity from a few kilometres per second to 1 metre per second, which is the ideal speed for lunar soft-landing. After the successful soft-landing, the lander is meant to open its ramp and allow the 'Pragyan' rover to roll out onto the Lunar surface. In close coordination with each other, the lander, rover and propulsion module would then carry out their respective scientific tasks and send data back to Earth. As far as the lander and rover are concerned, ISRO is looking at an operational life of one Lunar day or two weeks on Earth. However, after the lunar night passes and the new dawn breaks, when the sunlight is available, it is possible that the lander and rover come back to life. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Chandrayaan-3: Vikram Lander 'healthy', completes its maiden solo manoeuvre

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Cheap, Fast, Successful: Why NASA Wants Isro on the Moon | GRAVITAS

Vikram-1 Success Marks New Era for India's Space Economy | IN-SPACe Chairman Exclusive

ISRO to launch 100th mission on-board GSLV in January

China to introduce advanced Long March and commercial rockets in 2025

Chandrayaan-3: Vikram Lander 'healthy', completes its maiden solo manoeuvre