New Delhi: India is gearing up for its ambitious Chandrayaan-4 mission, which will incorporate advanced docking technology and lunar sample collection, marking a crucial step towards its long-term goal of establishing a space station by 2040, Union Minister Jitendra Singh informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Addressing the House, Singh said the mission would involve two launch vehicles carrying five modules, which will perform complex orbital manoeuvres, including docking in Earth's orbit before heading to the Moon.

Upon reaching lunar orbit, the modules will separate, with the descender collecting samples and the ascender returning to dock with the remaining modules. The return module will then bring the samples back to Earth, simulating key procedures for future crewed lunar missions.

Singh also provided an update on India's Gaganyaan mission, stating that the four astronauts undergoing training are progressing well. He confirmed that Group Captain Shukla has been selected to participate in a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), while the others continue intensive preparations.

The Minister further informed the House that Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams returned to Earth at 3:27 AM after spending over 300 days in space. The government extended its congratulations on social media soon after. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also sent a letter to Williams, conveying his good wishes and inviting her to visit India.

Highlighting the broader applications of space technology, Singh said advancements in the sector are playing a significant role in governance, including urban planning, disaster management, healthcare, and agriculture.

With Chandrayaan-4, India aims to bolster its position in global space exploration and pave the way for future deep-space missions.