**Summary:**
The Chandrayaan-4 mission, as of August 7, 2025, will prioritize the safe handling and storage of lunar samples to prevent contamination. This will be achieved through the transfer of leak-proof sample canisters to a dedicated sample curation facility. The curation facility will feature a Class 100-1000 clean room environment, adhering to ISO standards, and equipped with advanced instrumentation to maintain sample integrity for scientific analysis. While lunar missions, according to the COSPAR Planetary Protection policy, do not require stringent biological contamination control, Chandrayaan-4 will incorporate technological advancements such as: precise rendezvous and docking systems, navigation and attitude control for orbit management, robotic drilling and scooping mechanisms for sample collection and sealing, a robotic arm for sample transfer, autonomous ascent systems, heat shield technology for the reentry module, and deceleration systems. The Department of Space has established institutional mechanisms for simulations, ground tests, and reviews to ensure mission success. This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State.
Key Entities Referenced
Chandrayaan4: India's lunar sample return mission ensuring safe handling and storage of lunar samples.
COSPAR Committee on Space Research: The international organization whose Planetary Protection policy guides lunar missions.
lunar sample curation facility: A planned Class 100-1000 clean room environment (ISO standard) to preserve lunar samples for scientific analysis.
ISO standard: Refers to cleanliness standards for the lunar sample curation facility.
Rajya Sabha: The Upper House of the Parliament of India, where the information about Chandrayaan4 was provided.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space.
Department of Space: The Indian government department responsible for Chandrayaan4 mission.
Earth Sciences: A ministry held by Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Department of Space
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: INDIA’S
CHANDRAYAAN-4 MISSION
Posted On: 07 AUG 2025 3:22PM by PIB Delhi
Chandrayaan-4 mission will ensure the safe handling and storage of lunar sample to prevent contamination by
transferring the leak proof sample canisters to sample curation facility with contamination control features.
Establishment of Curation Facility (Class 100 & 1000 clean room environment as per ISO standard) is planned
with advanced instrument to preserve the integrity of the sample for scientific analysis. As per COSPAR
(Committee on Space Research) Planetary Protection policy, lunar missions fall under the category where it
does not demand stringent requirement for biological contamination.
Chandrayaan-4 mission will employ the specific Technological advancements, which include precise
rendezvous and docking systems, navigation and attitude control for orbit management, robotic drill
and scoop for sample collection and sealing, robotic arm for sample transfer, autonomous ascent
systems, heat shield technology for re-entry module, deceleration systems to overcome the
challenges of lunar sample return. Department has institutional mechanisms in place for conducting
simulations, ground tests and reviews to ensure successful execution of mission.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for
Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances &
Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya
Sabha today.
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NKR/PSM/AV
(Release ID: 2153530)