What is Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX)?

About Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX):

• It is a collaborative endeavor between Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
• The mission is scheduled to launch in 2025.
• This mission will take off aboard Japan’s H3 rocket.
• Primary Goal: To explore the moon’s southern polar region, investigating the presence of water and other elements, potentially in the form of surface ice.
• It aims to showcase innovative surface exploration technologies. The special focus is on vehicular transport and lunar night survival.
• It features both a lander and a rover. JAXA is responsible for developing and operating the rover, and ISRO for developing and operating the lander that will carry the rover.
  • The rover will drive on its own to search for areas where water is likely to be present and sample the soil by digging into the ground with a drill.
  • The plan is to acquire data by analyzing the collected samples in detail with observation equipment mounted on the rover.
  • The rover will be equipped with instruments for measuring the water content of regolith (lunar sand), drilling, and sampling, as well as with other world-first and world-leading technologies for the driving system and batteries.
  • The rover will carry not only the instruments of ISRO and JAXA but also those of the US space agencyNASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).