Chandrayaan 5 (LUPEX) Mission, Launch Date, Mission Objectives - UPSC

Chandrayaan 5, officially known as the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission, is India’s upcoming lunar mission in collaboration with Japan’s space agency JAXA. This mission aims to explore the Moon’s south pole, study water‑ice deposits, and analyze the lunar surface and subsurface to unlock new insights for future human exploration. Building on the success of Chandrayaan‑1, Chandrayaan‑2, and Chandrayaan‑3, this mission strengthens India’s position in global lunar research and marks a significant step in international space collaboration.

The article takes you through the Chandrayaan 5 mission's history, key features & strategic importance for the future of lunar exploration as required for UPSC Examination.

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About the Chandrayaan 5 (LUPEX) Mission

The Chandrayaan 5 Mission is a collaborative project between India and Japan to explore the Moon's south pole. The mission is officially named the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX). It will involve a lander and rover designed to perform in-situ studies of the lunar surface, with a primary focus on searching for water-ice and other resources.

Why is Chandrayaan 5 in News?

The Chandrayaan 5 Mission, also known as the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX), is a joint venture between ISRO and JAXA. It recently received approval from the Union Cabinet, marking a major step for India's lunar exploration program. This mission will build on the success of past Chandrayaan missions by conducting a detailed study of the Moon's polar regions.

Brief History of India's Chandrayaan Missions

India's lunar exploration journey began with the Chandrayaan program. These missions have progressively advanced the country's space capabilities.

• Chandrayaan-1 (2008): India’s first lunar orbiter confirmed the presence of water molecules on the Moon. It was launched using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• Chandrayaan-2 (2019): This mission included an orbiter, the Vikram lander, and the Pragyan rover. Though the lander's soft landing was unsuccessful, the orbiter continues to provide valuable data.
• Chandrayaan-3 (2023): This mission successfully landed its lander and rover on the lunar south pole. India was the first country to land in this region and the fourth overall to achieve a soft landing.

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The primary objectives of the mission are:

• Study of Water-Ice: The mission will focus on the amount, distribution, and state of water-ice at the lunar poles. This is a key objective as water is crucial for future human missions and a potential source of rocket fuel.
• Surface and Subsurface Exploration: The rover will be equipped to drill into the lunar surface. It will collect data on the composition and thermal properties of the soil and rock samples.
• Technology Demonstration: The mission will test and demonstrate advanced technologies for lunar landing and navigation.
• Data Collection: The mission aims to collect high-quality scientific data to help in understanding the origin and evolution of the Moon, as well as the potential for lunar resource use.

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Key Features of the Chandrayaan 5 (LUPEX) Mission

The Chandrayaan 5 (LUPEX) mission is a collaboration focused on the Moon's polar regions. Its key features include:

• Jointly Developed Lander and Rover: This is a major international collaboration. ISRO is responsible for developing the high-capacity lander, while JAXA is developing the much larger, 250-350 kg rover, which is a significant upgrade from the 25 kg Pragyan rover used in Chandrayaan-3. The mission will be launched aboard Japan's H3 rocket.
• Advanced Drilling and Sampling: The rover is equipped with a drill capable of excavating samples from a depth of up to 1.5 meters into the lunar surface. It will collect and analyze these samples on-site to understand the composition of the lunar regolith and confirm the presence of water-ice.
• Specialized Scientific Instruments (Payloads): The mission will carry a suite of scientific instruments from multiple international partners to achieve its objectives. Key payloads include:
  • JAXA's instruments: The Resource Investigating Water Analyzer (REIWA), a package of multiple instruments, and the Advanced Lunar Imaging Spectrometer (ALIS).
  • ISRO's instruments: The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for subsurface imaging and the Permittivity and Thermo-physical Investigation for Moon's Aquatic Scout (PRATHIMA) to quantify water-ice.
  • International contributions: Instruments from NASA (Neutron Spectrometer) and the European Space Agency (ESA) (Exospheric Mass Spectrometer).

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The Chandrayaan 5 (LUPEX) mission is significant for several strategic reasons. 

• It represents a major leap in international collaboration, showcasing India's growing role in global space exploration. This joint effort between ISRO and JAXA combines the strengths of both agencies to tackle complex scientific challenges. 
• The mission's advanced capabilities, including its larger rover and deeper drilling technology, are crucial for validating the presence and accessibility of water-ice, a resource vital for a sustainable human presence on the Moon and a stepping stone for future deep-space missions.

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Importance of Lunar South Pole Exploration

The lunar south pole is a region of great scientific interest for several reasons:

• Presence of Water-Ice: The permanently shadowed craters in this region are believed to contain significant deposits of water-ice. This could be a vital resource for future lunar missions, providing drinking water and rocket propellant.
• Undisturbed Environment: The extremely low temperatures in these craters have preserved a record of the early solar system, making them a unique laboratory for scientific research.
• Potential for Future Habitats: The availability of resources like water and the potential for continuous sunlight on the crater rims make the south pole an ideal location for a future lunar base.

While the official Chandrayaan 5 launch date has not been announced, the mission is expected to launch in the mid-2020s. This joint ISRO-JAXA mission signifies the growing international cooperation in space exploration and places India at the forefront of lunar research. The insights gained from the Lunar Polar Exploration will not only benefit India's space program but also contribute to a global understanding of our celestial neighbor.

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