What Is India’s Next Lunar Mission 'Lupex' All About? Here's Everything You Need To Know

The National Space Commission of India has officially approved the fifth lunar mission, known as the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (Lupex).

This ambitious project will be a collaborative effort between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan's space agency, JAXA, focusing on exploring water and other valuable resources on the Moon's surface, as reported by Times Of India.

Building on Past Successes

Following the success of Chandrayaan-3, India is poised to make significant advancements in its lunar exploration goals. Lupex is part of a broader lunar roadmap that aims to eventually send an astronaut to the Moon and ensure their safe return. This mission stands out due to its anticipated duration; it is designed to operate for up to 100 days on the lunar surface, far surpassing the lifespan of Chandrayaan-3.

Mission Goals and Objectives

Targeting the Lunar South Pole: Lupex will land precisely at the Moon's south pole (90-degree latitude), where it will investigate the presence of water and other valuable resources. The mission aims to analyze the quantity and distribution of water on the lunar surface and subsurface, including its interaction with dry regolith-the loose rock and dust on the Moon's surface.

Exploring Permanently Shadowed Regions: The Indo-Japanese mission will explore the Moon's permanently shadowed areas, conducting drilling and in-situ experiments to gather crucial information about these unique environments.

Rover Development and Advanced Instruments: The mission will feature a rover, developed by JAXA, weighing approximately 350 kg, significantly larger than the 26 kg Pragyan rover from Chandrayaan-3. The ISRO-designed lander will be equipped with advanced scientific instruments, including a ground-penetrating radar, a mid-infrared spectrometer, and a Raman spectrometer. Additionally, the lander will carry the PRATHIMA payload, designed for thermophysical investigations.

Launch Vehicle and Collaboration: Lupex will utilize a Japanese rocket for launch, while the lander and rover will be collaboratively developed by ISRO and JAXA. This partnership is expected to strengthen the technological capabilities of both nations in lunar exploration.

Cabinet Approval and Timeline: The mission is set to be presented for cabinet approval soon. Joint missions of this magnitude typically involve extensive discussions and planning before hardware development, integration, and testing commence. Despite some delays due to COVID-19, the mission is progressing steadily, according to JAXA.

Recent Achievements in Lunar Exploration: Both India and Japan have made significant strides in lunar exploration in recent years. In August 2023, India became the fourth country to successfully land on the Moon with Chandrayaan-3, followed by Japan's successful landing with the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) in January 2024.

Notably, the Lupex mission marks a significant step forward in India's lunar ambitions, aiming to explore essential resources and further understand the Moon's environment. With ISRO and JAXA working together, this mission promises to enhance scientific knowledge and pave the way for future manned missions to the Moon.