What is the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission?

Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission is India and Japan's joint mission to explore the moon's polar region. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) held a virtual meeting in March 2021 to review their ongoing cooperation in launching the mission.

ISRO Chairman K Sivan represented the Indian side, while JAXA president Hiroshi Yamakawa represented the Japanese side in the meeting. Together, the Indian and Japanese space agencies have set the target to send a lunar rover and lander to the South Pole region of the moon by 2024.

Hiroshi Yamakawa revealed the mission in the earlier Sydney dialogues held in November 2021. He also emphasized the requirement of greater collaboration between Quad countries (US-JAPAN-AUSTRALIA-INDIA) to jointly explore the lunar surface in the future.

Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission Objective

The main objective of the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission is water prospecting and analysis of the moon's surface. It aims to observe areas where water may exist and collect ground data on the quantity, forms, and distribution of water resources on the lunar surface.

The Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission will likely showcase new surface exploration technologies related to lunar night survival and vehicular transport. It is set to carry out sustainable exploration of the moon's polar regions.

Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission Features

• Lunar Polar Exploration LUPEX Mission is a joint robotic lunar mission of ISRO and JAXA.
• JAXA will contribute the H3 launch vehicle and rover to the mission, while ISRO will be responsible for the lander.
• The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed an MoU with JAXA to provide instruments for the Japanese rover.
• The payload capacity of the lander is estimated to be a minimum of 350 kg (770 lb).
• The rover will carry multiple instruments from both JAXA and ISRO, the most important being the drill that collects sub-surface samples from 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) depth.
• The mission will use features-matching algorithms and navigation equipment from JAXA's smart lander to investigate the moon.

Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission - Important Facts

• The Implementation Agreement (IA) for pre-phase A and phase A study of the Lunar Polar Exploration LUPEX Mission was signed by ISRO and JAXA in December 2017. The feasibility report for the same was completed in March 2018.
• ISRO and JAXA held the Joint Mission Definition Review (JMDR) in December 2018. Subsequently, JAXA completed its Internal Project Readiness Review in 2019.
• Further, JAXA has completed the instrument selection for the mission. The systematic requirement review (SRR) for the rover was also completed in 2021.
• India started studying a new lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, after Chandrayaan-2's crash landing in 2019. India intends to demonstrate its landing capability with a repeat attempt.

Collaborations between ISRO and JAXA

Apart from the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission, ISRO and JAXA also reviewed their collaboration in satellite navigation and earth observation in March 2021. They have also signed another implementing agreement to collaborate their activities on the air quality monitoring and rice crop area using satellite data.

FAQs on Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission

Q 1. What is the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission?

The Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission is a joint robotic lunar mission to explore the moon's polar region. It will likely showcase new surface exploration technologies related to lunar night survival and vehicular transport.

Q 2. Which space agencies are involved in the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission?

India's ISRO and Japan's JAXA are jointly involved in the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission. The two agencies held a meeting in March 2021 to review their ongoing cooperation.

Q 3. What is the target set for the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission?

As per the target set for the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission, together, the Indian and Japanese space agencies intend to send a lander and lunar rover to the South Pole region of the moon by 2024.

4. What is the objective of the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission?

The main objective of the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission is water prospecting and analysis of the moon's surface.

5. What will be ISRO's and JAXA's respective contributions to the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission?

JAXA will contribute the H3 launch vehicle and rover to the mission, while ISRO will be responsible for the lander will be ISRO's and JAXA's respective contributions to the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission.