ISRO has taken a major step forward with Chandrayaan-4, identifying a safe landing site near Mons Mouton in the Moon’s southern polar region.
Scientists from the Space Applications Centre analysed high-resolution images from Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter and pinpointed a 1 sq km stretch, labelled MM-4, as the most suitable option.
The site lies at 84.289° south latitude and 32.808° east longitude, with an average slope of just 5 degrees — ideal for landing operations. Researchers calculated its overall risk level at 9.89%, identifying 568 safe landing grids. Unlike other nearby sites, MM-4 offers sufficient sunlight for 11–12 days, minimal shadows, and fewer craters, ensuring a reliable power supply for the lander’s solar panels.
Chandrayaan-4 is ISRO’s most complex lunar mission yet. It will include a propulsion module, descender, ascender, transfer module, and re-entry module. The Vikram lander will touch down, robotic systems will collect samples, and the ascender will carry them to lunar orbit before returning them to Earth.
Earlier studies considered multiple sites around Mons Mouton, but MM-4 emerged as the safest after detailed digital elevation modelling. If approved by the landing selection committee, this will be India’s first attempt at a lunar sample return mission, placing the country among a select group of nations with such achievements.
