Chandrayaan means “Moon vehicle” or “moon craft”. It comes from Sanskrit: Chandra = Moon and Yaan = vehicle/craft.

Quick Scoop

In simple terms, Chandrayaan is the name of India’s lunar mission series, and the word itself points to a craft meant for the Moon.

Word breakdown

  • Chandra = Moon.
  • Yaan = Vehicle or craft.

In context

  • Chandrayaan-1 was India’s first lunar probe.
  • The Chandrayaan programme is ISRO’s series of Moon missions.

If you want, I can also explain why ISRO chose that name in one line.