Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is facing challenges in establishing communication with the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, prompting concerns regarding their operational status. Following the successful completion of their tasks, the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover were put into a sleep mode on September 2. Despite multiple efforts, there has been no reception of signals from these lunar explorers since the sunlight came back on Moon's surface
Given the limited prospects of reviving the module, the resources and findings from Chandrayaan-3's mission may now be redirected towards the next lunar mission. The Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX), also referred to as Chandrayaan-4, represents a collaborative lunar exploration endeavour orchestrated by two prominent space agencies: the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
LUPEX's primary objective is to dispatch an uncrewed lunar lander and rover to delve into the enigmatic south pole region of the Moon. The mission is scheduled for launch, with a tentative timeframe set for no earlier than 2026
The origins of LUPEX date back to December 2017 when ISRO and JAXA formally inked an Implementation Arrangement. This pivotal agreement marked the commencement of collaborative efforts to investigate the Moon's polar areas, particularly with an emphasis on identifying sources of water. The joint study reached its culmination with the completion of the feasibility report in March 2018
One of the mission's pivotal milestones emerged following the unfortunate crash of the Chandrayaan-2 lander during its lunar landing attempt in September 2019. In response, India initiated the planning of Chandrayaan-3 as a crucial repeat attempt designed to demonstrate the essential landing capabilities requisite for the successful execution of LUPEX
The aspiration for global collaboration in lunar exploration materialised with a joint statement by JAXA and NASA in September 2019. This dialogue explored the potential for NASA's involvement in the LUPEX mission, thereby expanding the scope of international cooperation
Significant strides in mission preparation were made when JAXA concluded its System Requirement Review in early 2021. Additionally, in April 2023, LUPEX Working Group 1 embarked on a critical visit to India, where invaluable information was exchanged. This included discussions related to landing site analysis and the meticulous planning required for mission success
LUPEX has set its sights on showcasing pioneering surface exploration technologies crucial for sustainable lunar exploration, especially within the challenging polar terrains. This encompasses the development of advanced vehicular transport systems and survival mechanisms tailored to endure the lunar night
The mission will be equipped with a comprehensive suite of scientific instruments to facilitate its objectives. Notable among these are a ground-penetrating radar, a neutron spectrometer, and an advanced imaging spectrometer. The primary focus of these instruments will be the prospecting and in-depth analysis of water resources on the lunar surface
In the realm of international collaboration, LUPEX has adapted its payload lineup to accommodate evolving circumstances. This adjustment became necessary due to international collaboration challenges stemming from the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, the European Space Agency's Exospheric Mass Spectrometer L-band (EMS-L) is now slated to be an integral part of LUPEX
LUPEX's commitment to lunar research extends to its future plans, encompassing a range of proposed payloads. These include instruments designed to measure the velocity, flux, and mass of incoming micrometeorites on the lunar surface, as well as tools to detect charged dust particles and validate the phenomenon of dust levitation in the volatile-rich polar regions. Additionally, LUPEX is positioned to study volatile transport on the lunar surface, furthering our understanding of Earth's celestial neighbour