India Targets Historic Moon Landing by 2040, Reveals Former ISRO Chief

A S Kiran Kumar, now chairman of Physical Research Laboratory's management council, outlined the roadmap during the event on January 7, 2026. He stressed multiple missions leading to human lunar presence, emphasizing South Pole research for scientific insights. This aligns with ISRO's history of cost-effective innovations post-Chandrayaan-3.

Key Highlights

• Ambitious Timeline: India plans crewed lunar landing and safe return by 2040, alongside building a space station.
• ​Immediate Missions: Next Chandrayaan follow-on mission underway, plus Japan partnership for Moon lander and rover targeting South Polar region.
• ​Broader Vision: Opens opportunities for academia, engineering institutes, and private firms in space exploration.
• ​Societal Focus: India pioneered space tech for public benefits like communication and weather monitoring, per Kumar.

Sources: PTI, The Week, Economic Times