The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have joined forces for an upcoming lunar mission known as the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission or LUPEX. This collaborative effort might revolutionise lunar exploration and potentially lay the groundwork for sustainable lunar activities. Significantly, this partnership extends beyond ISRO and JAXA, as the mission will incorporate instruments from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).
LUPEX aims to develop an advanced rover and lander, with recent discussions including plans for a smaller lander during a visit by JAXA's Saku Tsuneta, Vice-Chair of Japan’s Cabinet Committee on National Space Policy and Director-General of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, to ISRO headquarters. The mission's ambitious goals encompass evaluating the feasibility of a sustainable Moon base in the polar region, investigating lunar surface water-ice resources, and showcasing cutting-edge surface exploration technologies.
The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad is a pivotal player in LUPEX, contributing crucial instruments for detailed measurements on the lunar surface and subsurface.
The Permittivity and Thermo-physical Investigation for Moon’s Aquatic Scout (PRATHIMA) instrument aims to detect and quantify water-ice mixed with lunar soil, achieving in-situ detection and measurement of water content. Another instrument, the Lunar Electrostatic Dust Experiment (LEDEX), has the role of detecting charged dust particles. It will explore dust levitation in the polar region while estimating the size and flow of these charged particles.
Expected to launch in 2025, the LUPEX mission symbolises global teamwork and advancements in space exploration. This mission has the potential to reshape understanding of the Moon and facilitate sustainable lunar operations.
India is currently engaged in a lunar mission with the goal of making history by becoming the first country to successfully land on the Lunar South Pole. The Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, launched on July 14, 2023, also involves substantial collaboration with international space agencies. Notably, the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA have played vital roles by providing essential ground station support for communication purposes.
ESA's impressive 15-metre antenna, situated in French Guiana, has taken on the responsibility of tracking Chandrayaan-3, ensuring its continued functionality after launch. Additionally, the Goonhilly Earth Station in the UK has been actively assisting the lander during its lunar operations, ensuring smooth data transfer to ISRO for comprehensive analysis.
NASA has also contributed to this endeavour through its deep space network (DSN), which comprises three distributed satellite systems (DSS) spaced approximately 120 degrees apart in terms of longitude. These sites are located near Goldstone, close to Barstow, California; in the vicinity of Madrid, Spain; and near Canberra, Australia. The placement of these facilities allows for uninterrupted communication with spacecraft as our planet rotates. By the time a distant spacecraft's signal diminishes at one DSN site due to its descent below the horizon, another site can promptly pick up the communication, thus ensuring continuous monitoring.
(With inputs from PTI)
Beyond Chandrayaan-3: ISRO-JAXA along with NASA and ESA to unite for LUPEX in 2025 - Republic World
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