Moon’s Mons Mouton likely to be ISRO’s lunar home with Chandrayaan 4

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has identified a potential landing location near the Moon’s South Pole for its upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission. Using high-resolution images captured by the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, scientists have shortlisted the Mons Mouton region, specifically the MM-4 zone as the most suitable site for a safe touchdown.

Mons Mouton is a massive lunar mountain rising close to 6,000 metres above the Moon’s surface near the South Pole. What makes it especially attractive for landing is the relatively flat terrain across much of its summit, which reduces technical risks during descent. Although the site has been provisionally selected, ISRO has stated that the final decision on the landing location will be made closer to the mission’s launch date.

As per reports, scientists consider Mons Mouton strategically important because it receives extended periods of sunlight, a crucial requirement for solar-powered missions operating in extreme lunar conditions. The region is also believed to have a strong likelihood of hosting water ice, a resource that could support future lunar exploration and long-term human presence. The mountain was earlier known as Leibniz Beta but was later renamed Mons Mouton in honour of Melba Roy Mouton, a noted NASA mathematician and computer programmer.

The selection of this site has been guided by detailed analysis of data from Chandrayaan-2. According to reports, ISRO scientists presented their findings at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) 2026. The study made extensive use of images from the Orbiter High Resolution Camera (OHRC), which can map the lunar surface at a resolution of approximately 32 centimetres per pixel. These images allow researchers to clearly identify small craters, rocks, slopes and surface features, enabling them to eliminate hazardous zones well in advance.

Within the Mons Mouton region, four potential landing sites were evaluated, with MM-4 emerging as the safest option. The average slope at this site is around five degrees, well below the lander’s maximum tolerance of ten degrees. Large rocks are limited in number, and most boulders are smaller than 0.3 metres, significantly lowering the risk of damage during landing. In addition, the site is expected to receive nearly 11 to 12 days of continuous sunlight and offers reliable radio communication with Earth, reducing the chances of signal loss during critical mission phases.

Chandrayaan-4 is designed to be a sample-return mission and is estimated to cost ₹2,104 crore. The mission will use two launch vehicles, the heavy-lift LVM-3 and ISRO’s proven PSLV to transport different mission components. The first stage will include a descender module to land on the Moon and an ascender module to carry collected samples off the lunar surface. The second stage will feature a propulsion module for thrust, a transfer module to store the samples, and a re-entry module that will bring the lunar material safely back to Earth. Due to its technical complexity, Chandrayaan-4 is being described as ISRO’s most difficult lunar mission so far.

ISRO’s Chandrayaan programme has steadily advanced over the years. Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, played a key role in confirming the presence of water molecules on the Moon. Chandrayaan-2, launched in 2019, successfully placed an orbiter around the Moon, although its lander could not complete a soft landing. In 2023, Chandrayaan-3 achieved a historic soft landing near the Moon’s South Pole, earning global recognition for India’s space capabilities.

Meanwhile, ISRO’s recent PSLV-C62 mission encountered a technical anomaly when the rocket deviated from its planned trajectory within eight minutes of launch. Despite this issue, Spanish startup Orbital Paradigm confirmed that its satellite, the KID (Kestrel Initial Demonstrator), had separated from the rocket before the malfunction occurred. The company later stated that signals from the satellite were received, confirming that it remained undamaged.