Why in the News?

• India and Japan have officially entered into a partnership on Chandrayaan-5, marking a joint lunar endeavour, also called as LUPEX Mission.

Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX Mission)

• What is it?:
  • A joint mission of ISRO (India) and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).
  • Aims to explore the lunar south pole region, which is believed to contain water ice and other resources crucial for future lunar habitation.
• Objectives:
  • Detect and quantify lunar water (in the form of ice) at the south pole.
  • Study the lunar surface and subsurface composition.
  • Assess the possibility of sustainable lunar exploration by humans.
  • Test advanced rover and lander technologies for future missions.
• Mission Components:
  • Launch Vehicle: Japan’s H3 rocket.
  • Lander: Developed by JAXA, capable of precise soft-landing in rugged polar terrain.
  • Rover: Developed by ISRO, designed to:
    • Drill up to 1 metre below the lunar surface.
    • Analyse soil for water molecules and volatiles.
  • Payloads:
    • ISRO & JAXA scientific instruments.
    • NASA may also contribute technology (like the neutron spectrometer).
• Significance:
  • Strengthens India-Japan space cooperation.
  • Complements India’s Chandrayaan-3 success by focusing on polar resource mapping.
  • Supports global efforts for sustainable space economy (lunar bases, in-situ resource utilisation).
  • Enhances India’s role in future human lunar missions.
• Challenges:
  • Technical Challenges: Precision landing at lunar south pole and rover drilling capacity challenges.
  • Scientific Challenges: Damage to systems due to Lunar dust, challenges in communication arising due to blockage of line of sight.
  • Logistical and Financial Challenges: High cost of deep space missions and Time and cost incurred on testing and integration.
  • Strategic Challenge: Technology demonstration pressure on ISRO and JAXA.