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News: The Chandrayaan-5 mission, jointly undertaken by ISRO and JAXA, was approved by the Indian Cabinet in March 2025. It aims to explore the Moon’s surface and subsurface for water. Preliminary design work for the lander and rover is now underway. Chandrayaan-5 mission
About Chandrayaan-5
Chandrayaan-5, also called LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration), this mission is a collaboration between ISRO and JAXA. It will carry a 6.5-tonne payload aboard Japan’s H3 rocket, scheduled for launch in 2027–28.
Mission Goals and Duration
- Water and Soil Exploration: The rover will trace water and drill into the Moon’s surface to study regolith samples.
- In-Situ Experiments: Instruments will assess water content, quality, and conduct surface analysis.
- Timeline: Planned for 100 days, with a possible one-year extension.
Scientific Collaboration and Technology
- ISRO’s Contribution: Developing the lander and one sensor in a large instrument with four sensors.
- JAXA’s Role: Building the 350-kg rover and three sensors in the same instrument. The rover will travel inclined surfaces up to 25° and has a complex battery charging system for sampling operations.
- Global Partnerships:
- ESA is developing a mass spectrometer.
- NASA is building neutron spectrometers.
- Both instruments are in the design phase.
- Total Payload: Seven scientific instruments will be onboard.
Background of Chandrayaan Missions
Chandrayaan-1 (2008): Mineral and chemical mapping.
Chandrayaan-2 (2019): 98% success.
Chandrayaan-3 (2023): Soft-landing on Moon’s south pole.
Chandrayaan-4 (Upcoming): Sample return mission.
Chandrayaan-5: Focused on deeper lunar exploration through international cooperation.
Strategic Significance
- Enhances India’s deep space exploration capacity.
- Strengthens Indo-Japan and global space partnerships.
- Supports future goals like India’s Bharatiya Space Station.
