In his pursuit to unravel the deepest mysteries of the cosmos, US-based astrophysicist Karan Jani is charting a bold path to discover how the Universe began, what triggered its expansion, and what created the very first cosmic structures, including galaxies. At the heart of this ambitious mission lies the Laser Interferometer Lunar Antenna (LILA) — a next-generation gravitational-wave detector proposed to be installed on the Moon’s surface.
According to a detailed report published by a national daily, Vadodara-born Jani, the Director of the Vanderbilt Lunar Labs Initiative and Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Communication of Science & Technology at Vanderbilt University in the US, believes the Moon may hold the key to answering fundamental questions about the origins of the Universe.
He claims the lunar environment is “naturally quieter than the Earth”. It’s free of atmosphere, wind, and man-made noise. These attributes provide a clear advantage for astrophysics investigations.
During his visit to Vadodara, his hometown, Jani said that discussions were on with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Ahmedabad.
As a sub-text, it’s worth mentioning that Gujarat has been at the forefront of a larger space narrative, with ISRO’s Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad having a major hand in spearheading many national projects.
The report says that ISRO is exploring a possible collaboration to send a payload on India’s upcoming Chandrayaan-5 mission.
Jani explained that some gravitational waves cannot be detected from Earth because of its constant seismic activity. He said the Moon is ideal for such experiments.
According to him, “The moon offers a spiritual quietness and has a vacuum right on its surface… It serves as a perfect place to conduct astrophysics experiments as it does not have atmosphere, wind, seismic activity and, more importantly, humans to create noise…”
He mentioned that the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission is highly complex and would carry more payloads, with rovers capable of traveling much farther distances.
Jani told the media house that the goal is to send a payload on Chandrayaan-5. This will act as a prototype for the LILA mission and help test key technologies.
He pointed out that only three countries are seriously working on lunar missions — the US, India, and Japan.
Chandrayaan-5, he said, will be a joint mission between India and Japan, both driven by their lunar ambitions.
While there is a global space race, Jani believes nations with shared democratic values — those part of the Artemis Accord — can come together.
This, he said, is not just about science. “Building projects on the Moon is not for a lab. It is a project for humanity.”
Jani added that the first phase of the LILA project would involve sending a payload to the Moon, with the long-term vision of launching a manned mission.
He described a future where two landers, separated by a few kilometers, could communicate via laser. LILA, he noted, is an international consortium under his leadership, with each partner contributing specialized expertise.
ISRO, he said, currently possesses a rare understanding of the complexities of lunar landings and lander engineering. Other partners include US and European universities, NASA centers, and private space companies that have already demonstrated successful lunar landings.
His team brings a wealth of experience in gravitational waves, conducting experiments on the Moon, in space, and even on Mars.
Reflecting on his own journey, Jani credited the era of APJ Abdul Kalam for inspiring his path in astrophysics. He expressed optimism that India’s New Education Policy would provide the necessary momentum to a growing community of space enthusiasts.
Jani believed that every space mission boosts public respect for science and sparks curiosity among the youth.
He compared it to the rise of computer science in the 1980s. Space education in India, he said, is still at a beginning stage.
But many young researchers are already diving into the science of gravitational waves.
The Chandrayaan mission is creating excitement — he felt the time was right to cash in on the momentum.
To foster this interest at the grassroots level, Jani is working on a pilot initiative called Space Shala at his family-run Shreyas School in Vadodara.
He explained that Space Shala aims to formalise space education, not by relying on physical infrastructure but through a focused educational approach. He suggested that asking children simple questions—like what they would weigh on the Moon or Mars—could spark curiosity. Just as computer education had evolved since the 1980s, he said space education now required a similar push. He believes India has an abundance of engineers and that space education should be championed to honour the legacy of Vikram Sarabhai and APJ Abdul Kalam.
With researchers like Jani returning to their home state to engage with institutions and young minds, Gujarat continues to remain connected to India’s expanding footprint in space exploration.
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