Union Cabinet, chaired
by PM Narendra Modi, on Wednesday,18 Sep, approved proposals worth ₹32,000
crore in the Science and Technology sector, aimed at placing the country on the
global space-tech map. Chandrayaan-4,
Venus Orbiter, a follow-on to the Gaganyaan programme, and the development of a
next-generation launch vehicle were the four key proposals that were approved.
In the case of the Chandrayaan-4 Mission an outlay
of ₹2,104.06 crore has been allocated. The mission includes two launch vehicle missions
and docking in orbit; landing on the lunar surface, lunar sample collection and
containerisation; the ascent of spacecraft module from the lunar surface;
docking and undocking of lunar orbit and return and re-entry to earth for
sample delivery. The project is expected to materialise in around 36 months.