ISRO Develops Largest Lunar Rocket LMLV Expected by 2035

India's space agency ISRO is developing its heaviest rocket yet, the Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV), slated for readiness by 2035 to support lunar and interplanetary missions including a crewed Moon mission planned for 2040. The LMLV will significantly increase payload capacity, carrying up to 27 tonnes to the Moon and 80 tonnes to low Earth orbit, marking a major advancement in India's space exploration efforts. Historically, ISRO has progressed from early sounding rockets and the SLV-3 under A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to more capable vehicles like the PSLV and GSLV, which introduced indigenous cryogenic engines after technology transfer denials. Meanwhile, NASA continues preparations for human Mars missions with simulations like CHAPEA, where crews experience isolation and communication delays similar to those expected on Mars, focusing on health and performance over extended periods. In parallel, NASA's Lunar Environment Structural Test Rig (LESTR) replicates the extreme cold and vacuum of the lunar night to test materials and hardware crucial for Moon and Mars missions, enhancing mission readiness through accurate environmental simulations. These developments collectively underscore significant international progress in human and robotic exploration of the Moon and Mars.