View source for Lunar Polar Exploration Mission

{{Short description|Lunar exploration mission by India and Japan}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name               = Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX)
| names_list         = 
| image              = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_size         = 
| mission_type       = {{hlist|[[Lunar lander|Lander]] |[[Lunar rover|Rover]]}}
| operator           = {{ubl|[[ISRO]] (India)|[[JAXA]] (Japan)}}
| COSPAR_ID          = 
| SATCAT             = 
| website            = {{URL|http://www.exploration.jaxa.jp/e/program/lunarpolar/}}
| mission_duration   = 6 months (planned) <ref name= "MEXT_20190829"/>
| spacecraft_bus     = 
| manufacturer       = Launcher and rover: [[JAXA]]<br/>Lander: [[Indian Space Research Organisation|ISRO]]
| launch_mass        = ≈ {{cvt|6000|kg}} <ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://stage.tksc.jaxa.jp/compe/jouhou/FY2019-0010.pdf|title=月離着陸実証(HERACLES)ミッションの紹介 と検討状況|date=28 January 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115174042/http://stage.tksc.jaxa.jp/compe/jouhou/FY2019-0010.pdf|archive-date=15 November 2019|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
| landing_mass       = <!-- {{convert| | | |abbr=on}} -->
| payload_mass       = ≈ {{cvt|350|kg}} (lander with rover) <ref name="ActaAstro_2020"/>
| dimensions         = <!-- {{convert| |x| | | |abbr=on}} -->
| power              = [[watt]]s
| launch_date        = 2028–29 (planned)<ref name="sn-20241023" />
| launch_rocket      = [[H3 (rocket)|H3]]<ref name="JPN_20190730"/>
| launch_site        = [[Tanegashima Space Center|Tanegashima]], [[Yoshinobu Launch Complex|LA-Y]]
| launch_contractor  = [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]
| interplanetary     = {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
  | type         = lander
  | component    = Rover
  | object       = [[Moon]]
  | arrival_date = 
  | location     = [[Lunar south pole|South polar region]]
}}
{{Infobox spaceflight/IP
  | type         = rover
  | object       = Moon
  | arrival_date = 
  | location     = 
  | distance     = <!--distance travelled on surface for rovers-->
  | sample_mass  = <!--mass of samples returned-->
 }}
| previous_mission   = [[Chandrayaan-4]]
| next_mission       = 
}}

The '''Lunar Polar Exploration Mission''' ('''LUPEX'''),<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-17 |title=ISRO working on ambitious lunar missions LUPEX, Chandrayaan-4: Official |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/isro-working-on-ambitious-lunar-missions-lupex-chandrayaan-4-official/articleshow/105292411.cms |access-date=2023-12-15 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> is a planned joint [[Exploration of the Moon|lunar mission]] by the [[ISRO|Indian Space Research Organisation]] (ISRO) and [[JAXA|Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency]] (JAXA).<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indias-next-moon-shot-will-be-bigger-in-pact-with-japan/articleshow/71030437.cms|title=India's next Moon shot will be bigger, in pact with Japan |date=8 September 2019|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=10 March 2021|quote=For our next mission — Chandrayaan-3 — which will be accomplished in collaboration with [[JAXA]] (Japanese Space Agency), we will invite other countries too to participate with their payloads.}}</ref><ref name="GER2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.globalspaceexploration.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GER_2020_supplement.pdf|title=Global Exploration Roadmap - Supplement August 2020 - Lunar Surface Exploration Scenario Update |publisher=NASA|date=August 2020|access-date=10 March 2021}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The mission would send an [[Uncrewed spacecraft|uncrewed]] [[lunar lander]] and [[Lunar rover|rover]] to explore the [[Lunar south pole|south pole region]] of the [[Moon]] no earlier than 2028.<ref name="sn-20241023">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/india-to-target-moons-south-pole-with-sample-return-mission/ |title=India to target moon's south pole with sample return mission |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=23 October 2024 |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="JPN_20190730">{{cite web|url=https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0005907013|title=Japan, India to team up in race to discover water on moon|last=Shimbun|first=The Yomiuri|newspaper=The Japan News|date=30 July 2019|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref> It is envisaged to explore the permanently shadowed regions and to determine the quantity and quality of water on the Moon.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hindu |first=The |date=2024-01-31 |title=India's next moon mission will be precursor to the country's ambitious lunar sample return mission: PRL Director |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/indias-next-moon-mission-will-be-precursor-to-the-countrys-ambitious-lunar-sample-return-mission-prl-director/article67797273.ece |access-date=2024-02-01 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> JAXA is likely to provide the [[H3 (rocket)|H3]] [[launch vehicle]] and the rover, while ISRO would be providing the lander.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=4 January 2019 |title=Episode 82: JAXA and International Collaboration with Professor Fujimoto Masaki |url=https://astrotalkuk.org/episode-82-jaxa-and-international-collaboration-with-professor-fujimoto-masaki/ |access-date=10 March 2021 |publisher=Astro Talk UK}}</ref><ref name="JPGU2019">{{cite web|url=https://confit.atlas.jp/guide/event-img/jpgu2019/PPS08-15/public/pdf|title=Current status of a Japanese lunar polar exploration mission|last1=Hoshino|first1=Takeshi|last2=Ohtake|first2=Makiko|date=May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725143619/https://confit.atlas.jp/guide/event-img/jpgu2019/PPS08-15/public/pdf?type=in&lang=ja|last3=Karouji|first3=Yuzuru|last4=Shiraishi|first4=Hiroaki|archive-date=25 July 2019|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>

LUPEX will follow the planned lunar [[sample-return mission]] [[Chandrayaan-4]].<ref name="sn-20241023" />

== History ==
The [[ISRO|Indian Space Research Organisation]] (ISRO) signed an Implementation Arrangement (IA) in December 2017 for pre-phase A, phase A study and completed the feasibility report in March 2018 with [[JAXA|Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency]] (JAXA)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indembassy-tokyo.gov.in/st_cooperation.html|title=Welcome to Embassy of India, Tokyo (Japan)|website=www.indembassy-tokyo.gov.in|access-date=2021-03-20}}</ref> to explore the polar regions of Moon for [[Lunar water|water]]<ref name="ID Jan 2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/e1556a6c-e6ef-11e7-97e2-916d4fbac0da|title=India and Japan prepare joint mission to the moon|last1=Harding|first1=Robin|date=4 January 2018|work=Financial Times|access-date=2021-03-20|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104061323/https://www.ft.com/content/e1556a6c-e6ef-11e7-97e2-916d4fbac0da|archive-date=4 January 2018|last2=Kazmin|first2=Amy}}</ref> with a joint Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) that would be launched no earlier than 2028.<ref name="sn-20241023" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spacetechasia.com/jaxa-isro-to-embark-on-joint-lunar-polar-exploration/|title=JAXA & ISRO to embark on Joint Lunar Polar Exploration|last=Goh|first=Deyana|date=2017-12-08|website=SpaceTech Asia|language=en-US|access-date=2021-03-20}}</ref>

ISRO and JAXA held the Joint Mission Definition Review (JMDR) in December 2018. By the end of 2019, JAXA concluded its internal Project Readiness Review.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 2020|title=Progress Of Lunar Polar Exploration Mission|url=https://iafastro.directory/iac/paper/id/55917/abstract-pdf/IAC-20,A3,2B,9,x55917.brief.pdf|access-date=24 March 2021}}</ref>

Since [[Chandrayaan-2]]'s lander crashed on the Moon during its landing attempt in September 2019, India started to study a new lunar mission named [[Chandrayaan-3]] as a repeat attempt to demonstrate the landing capabilities needed for the LUPEX.<ref name="Wire_Nov2019">{{cite web |url=https://science.thewire.in/spaceflight/isro-chandrayaan-3-lunar-lander-rover-gaganyaan/|title=ISRO Will Embark on Chandrayaan 3 by November 2020 for Another Landing Attempt|publisher=The WIRE|date=14 November 2019|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>

In a joint statement by JAXA and [[NASA]] on 24 September 2019, the possibility of NASA joining the LUPEX mission was discussed.<ref name="JAXA">{{cite web|date=24 September 2019|title=JAXA - Joint Statement on Cooperation in Lunar Exploration|url=https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2019/09/20190924a.html|access-date=10 March 2021|publisher=JAXA - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency}}</ref>

JAXA finished its domestic System Requirement Review (SRR) in early 2021.<ref name="LPSC_52_2021" /> In April 2023, LUPEX Working Group 1 arrived in India to share information of landing site analysis on promised candidate sites, methods of estimating lander and rover position on moon, information of ground antennas for command and telemetry.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2023-04-27 |title=Japanese team reviews Lunar Polar Exploration mission with ISRO |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/japanese-team-reviews-lunar-polar-exploration-mission-with-isro/article66785146.ece |access-date=2023-04-29 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

India's Space Commission authorized ISRO to begin work on the LUPEX mission on October 7, 2024. The union cabinet has received the report, and approval is anticipated shortly.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Chethan |date=2024-10-07 |title=Eyes on moon: National space panel clears India’s 5th lunar mission Lupex; lander engine to be used to land humans on moon |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/eyes-on-moon-national-space-panel-clears-indias-5th-lunar-mission-lupex-lander-engine-to-be-used-to-land-humans-on-moon/articleshow/114003268.cms |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> 

== Overview ==
The Lunar Polar Exploration mission would demonstrate new surface exploration technologies related to vehicular transport and lunar night survival for sustainable lunar exploration in polar regions.<ref name="UNOOSA">{{cite web|url=http://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/copuos/2019/copuos2019tech16E.pdf|title=JAXA's Lunar Exploration Activities|last=Sasaki|first=Hiroshi|date=17 June 2019|publisher=UNOOSA |page=8|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="JPGU2019"/> For precision landing it would utilize a feature matching algorithm and navigational equipment derived from JAXA's [[Smart Lander for Investigating Moon]] (SLIM) mission.<ref name=":2"/><ref name="NASA_ESF2019">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Uk0Had9Tc|title=NASA Exploration Science Forum 2019 - Masaki Fujimoto|time=3 minute 6 seconds|publisher=NASA|date=23-25 July 2019|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref> The lander's payload capacity would be {{cvt|350|kg}} at minimum.<ref name="ActaAstro_2020">{{cite journal|last1=Hoshino |first1=Takeshi|last2=Wakabayashi|first2=Sachiko|last3=Ohtake|first3=Makiko|last4=Karouji|first4=Yuzuru|last5=Hayashi|first5=Takahiro|last6=Morimoto|first6=Hitoshi|last7=Shiraishi|first7=Hiroaki|last8=Shimada |first8=Takanobu|last9=Hashimoto|first9=Tatsuaki|last10=Inoue|first10=Hiroka|last11=Hirasawa|first11=Ryo|last12=Shirasawa|first12=Yoji|last13=Mizuno|first13=Hiroyasu|last14=Kanamori|first14=Hiroshi|title=Lunar polar exploration mission for water prospection - JAXA's current status of joint study with ISRO|journal=Acta Astronautica|date=November 2020|volume=176|pages=52–58|doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.05.054 |bibcode=2020AcAau.176...52H|s2cid=219757738 }}</ref><ref name="MEXT_20190829"/><ref name="USRA">{{cite web|url=https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2020/pdf/1830.pdf|title=Objective and Configuration of a Planned Lunar Polar Exploration Mission|date=1 February 2020|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref> The rover would carry multiple instruments by JAXA and ISRO including a drill to collect sub-surface samples from {{cvt|1.5|m}} depth.<ref name="SPACE.COM">{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/japan-moon-plans-with-nasa-india.html|title=Japan Sets Sights on Moon with NASA and India|publisher=Space.com|date=23 October 2019|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="MEXT_20190829">{{cite web|url=http://www.mext.go.jp/component/b_menu/shingi/toushin/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2019/08/29/1420708_2_1.pdf|title=国際協力による月探査計画への参画に向けて参考資料 |date=29 August 2019|publisher=MEXT.GO|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014163852/http://www.mext.go.jp/component/b_menu/shingi/toushin/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2019/08/29/1420708_2_1.pdf|archive-date=14 October 2019|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref> Water prospecting and analysis are likely to be mission objectives.<ref name=":0"/><ref name="Registrer">{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/08/14/chandrayaan2_headed_for_moon/|title=Six-day cruise lies ahead for India's Chandrayaan-2 probe before the real lunar shenanigans begin|publisher=The Register|date=14 August 2019|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>

The [[European Space Agency]]'s Exospheric Mass Spectrometer L-band (EMS-L) of PROSPECT mission was originally planned to fly as a payload on the Russian [[Luna 27]] mission,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESA - Exploration of the Moon - About PROSPECT |url=https://exploration.esa.int/web/moon/-/59102-about-prospect |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=exploration.esa.int}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.astronika.pl/lunar-drill|title=LUNAR DRILL {{!}} Astronika|website=astronika.pl|language=pl|access-date=2018-11-24|archive-date=25 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125031206/https://www.astronika.pl/lunar-drill|url-status=dead}}</ref> however EMS-L will now fly on this mission due to continued international collaboration being thrown into doubt by the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]] and related sanctions on Russia.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Witze |first1=Alexandra |title=Russia's invasion of Ukraine is redrawing the geopolitics of space |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00727-x |journal=Nature |access-date=13 March 2022 |doi=10.1038/d41586-022-00727-x |date=11 March 2022|pmid=35277688 |s2cid=247407886 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Redirecting ESA programmes in response to geopolitical crisis |url=https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Redirecting_ESA_programmes_in_response_to_geopolitical_crisis |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=www.esa.int}}</ref> Payload proposals from other space agencies might be sought.<ref name=":1"/><ref name="NASA_ESF2019"/>

The lander has been fully re-engineered by ISRO, which required the development of a new engine. The same engine will be used by ISRO in the future for crewed lunar landing missions. The LUPEX mission will test this engine, developed by [[Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre]] (LPSC). The rover now weighs 350 kg, while the lander is heavier (in comparison to the original design). The rover is mounted externally since it is heavy and cannot be transported within the lander like it was in Chandrayaan-3. A [[Sky crane (landing system)|sky crane]] like arrangement has now been designed to deploy it on the Moon's surface.<ref name=":3" />

One of the main challenges ahead is choosing a specific landing location, according to Inoue Hiroka, a researcher with the Lunar Polar Exploration Project Team at JAXA's Space Exploration Center. Landing at the south polar zone of the Moon is the plan, as it is thought to have a high probability of having water. There aren't many level places in this area, though, that are perfect for landing and guaranteeing adequate lighting and communication. The team intends to make its landing site public as soon as they determine the ideal place, since other nations may select the same area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Abhinav |date=7 October 2024 |title=India-Japan moon project 'LUPEX' cleared. Here's all you need to know |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/sci-tech/2024/10/07/india-japan-moon-project-lupex-cleared-heres-all-you-need-to-know.html |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref>

== Payloads ==
Some selected Japanese instruments along with the candidate instruments of ISRO and ESA and the invited international collaborators by JAXA.<ref name = "LPSC_52_2021">{{Cite web|date=18 March 2021|title=Current Status Of The Planned Lunar Polar Exploration Mission Jointly Studied By India And Japan|url=https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1840.pdf|access-date=24 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="JAXA_YT_2021">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLb2OcuDro4|title=月極域探査機（LUPEX） 【オンライン特別公開 #26】|time=10 minute 8 seconds|publisher=JAXA|date=7 April 2021|access-date=7 April 2021}}</ref>

* Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR): Underground radar observation up to 1.5 meter during rover traverse. (ISRO)
* Neutron Spectrometer (NS): Underground neutron (hydrogen) observation up to one meter during rover traverse. (NASA)
* Advanced Lunar Imaging Spectrometer (ALIS): {{chem|H|2|O}}/OH observation of the surface and drilled regolith.
* Exospheric Mass Spectrometer for LUPEX (EMS-L): Surface gas pressure and chemical species measurement. (ESA)
* REsource Investigation Water Analyzer (REIWA): Instrument package of the four instruments.
** Lunar ThermoGravimetric Analyzer (LTGA): Thermogravimetric analyses of the drilled samples for water content.
** TRIple-reflection reflecTrON (TRITON): Identification of chemical species of the volatile component in the drilled samples based on mass spectrometry.
** Aquatic Detector using Optical REsonance (ADORE): Water content measurement in the drilled samples based on cavity ring-down spectrometry.
** ISRO Sample Analysis Package: Mineralogical and elemental measurement of the drilled samples. (ISRO)

*Permittivity and Thermo-physical Investigation for Moon's Aquatic Scout (PRATHIMA):<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Instrument Details ISRO-JAXA LUPEX Rover |url=https://www.prl.res.in/~pids/LUPEX.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810033626/https://www.prl.res.in/~pids/LUPEX.html |archive-date=10 August 2022}}</ref> For in-situ detection and quantification of water-ice mixed with lunar regolith. The proposed experiment consists of a multipurpose probe that will be deployed into ~20-30 cm of the lunar surface to scout and quantify the presence of water-ice. ([[Physical Research Laboratory|PRL]])
*Alpha Particle Spectrometer (APS):<ref name=":4" /> To measure the alpha particles in the decay chain and to understand the volatile transport on the lunar surface along with measurements from LEGRS. (PRL)
*Low Energy Gamma Ray Spectrometer (LEGRS):<ref name=":4" /> For measuring low energy (46.5 keV) gamma ray line to study the volatile transport on the Moon with [[Cadmium zinc telluride|Cadmium Zinc Telluride]] (CZT) detectors. (PRL)
Following are proposed payloads:
* LUnar Micrometeorite EXperiment (LUMEX):<ref name=":4" /> To measure velocity, flux and mass of incoming micrometeorites on moon and derive volatile escape from the lunar surface. (PRL)
* Lunar Electrostatic Dust EXperiment (LEDEX):<ref name=":4" /> To detect presence of charged dust particles and confirm the dust levitation process in volatile-rich polar region. (PRL)

== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* [[Chandrayaan Programme]]
* [[In-situ resource utilization]]
* [[Lunar resources]]
* [[Lunar water]]
* [[VIPER (rover)|''VIPER'' rover]]
* [[Luna 27]]
* [[Chang'e 6]]
* [[HERACLES (spacecraft)|HERACLES]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Indian space programme}}
{{Indian spacecraft}}
{{Japanese space program}}
{{Moon spacecraft}}
{{Future spaceflights}}

[[Category:Missions to the Moon]]
[[Category:Indian lunar exploration programme]]
[[Category:Lunar rovers]]
[[Category:Proposed spacecraft]]
[[Category:2028 in spaceflight]]
[[Category:Japanese Lunar Exploration Program]]