Ashwini Vaishnaw said all preparatory steps towards this have been approved and Venus Orbiter Mission, Gaganyaan follow-on and Bharatiya Antariksh Station and Next Generation Launch Vehicle development also given approval.

Cabinet approves Bharatiya Antariksh Station, first module to launch in 2028

In a boost to the space programme, the government on Wednesday approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission to bring back moon rocks to earth, to send a spacecraft to orbit planet Venus and to expand the Gaganyaan project to build an Indian space station.

The government has approved ISRO's ambitious Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), set for launch in March 2028. This mission aims to study Venus' surface, atmosphere, and volcanic activity, furthering India's space exploration goals.

ISRO will lead these missions with substantial support from Indian industries and academic institutions. The developments are expected to not only boost India’s space sector but also create significant employment and economic opportunities across various industries.

The Union Cabinet has approved space missions totalling Rs 31,772 crores paving the way for the roadmap for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) till almost 2040.

The project marks a major milestone in India's space exploration ambitions, with the first module of the space station set to be launched by 2028. This decision also expands the scope of the Gaganyaan Programme, India's human spaceflight initiative

The Chandrayaan-4 mission builds on the achievements of previous lunar missions, particularly Chandrayaan-3, which demonstrated India's capability for a soft landing on the Moon

Chandrayaan-4, slated for launch in 2027, will be a critical stepping stone in India's lunar exploration program.