India and Japan have officially initiated the preliminary design phase of the upcoming Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) mission, aimed at exploring lunar water near the Moon’s south pole. The Indian government approved the mission on March 10, 2025.
About Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) Mission
- Full Form: Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX)
- Partners: ISRO (India) and JAXA (Japan)
- Launch Vehicle: Japan’s H3 rocket
- Launch Timeline: Expected in 2027–28
- Total Mass: 6.5 tonnes
- Mission Duration: Initially 100 days, extendable to 1 year
- Key Focus: Study of lunar volatiles, especially water and ice in the permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) near the Moon’s south pole
Components of Mission
1. Rover
- Developed by: JAXA
- Weight: 350 kg
- Features:
- Can climb slopes up to 25 degrees
- Battery charging planned before and after sample collection
- Designed for movement across PSRs for in-situ sampling and analysis
2. Lander
- Developed by: ISRO
- Will safely deploy the rover for subsurface exploration
Scientific Instruments Onboard
- Total Instruments: 7 scientific payloads
- Key Instruments:
- Mass Spectrometer by ESA
- Neutron Spectrometers by NASA
- Large composite instrument with 4 sensors: 1 sensor by ISRO and 3 sensors by JAXA
- Purpose of Spectrometers:
- Analyze energy and mass of samples
- Help detect and understand hydrogen and other elements
- Perform in-situ chemical analysis on lunar surface and subsurface materials
Mission Objectives
- Locate and analyze lunar water and ice deposits
- Study volatiles in PSRs near the south pole
- Drill into lunar regolith to measure:
- Water content
- Water quality and composition
- Trace areas with water, sample soil, and conduct on-site measurements
Broader Lunar Roadmap
- Chandrayaan-3: In 2023, India became the first country to soft-land on the Moon’s south pole
- Chandrayaan-4 (Expected in 2027):
- Will attempt lunar sample return
- Will bring Moon samples back to Earth for detailed analysis
- Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX): Next step in deep lunar exploration before proposed Indian astronaut Moon mission by 2040
Significance of LUPEX Mission
- Strengthens India-Japan space cooperation
- Critical for future human exploration of the Moon
- Enhances ISRO’s capabilities in planetary robotics and subsurface exploration
- Supports global goals of building sustainable lunar infrastructure
- Adds value to international lunar water mapping efforts, crucial for future bases and resource utilization