Bengaluru, NFAPost: In a remarkable collaboration between two space exploration giants, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for yet another lunar odyssey, this time partnering with the esteemed Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Set to embark on its lunar sojourn in 2024-25, this mission bears the moniker “LUPEX,” denoting its Lunar Polar Exploration aspirations. Notably, the Chandrayaan series will also continue its lunar endeavours, further solidifying India’s presence in the celestial neighbourhood.
The Essence of LUPEX
As its name aptly suggests, LUPEX is destined for the polar realms of our celestial neighbour, the Moon. However, this time, the mission will venture into the intriguing, permanently shaded regions. These enigmatic areas constitute nearly half of the lunar surface, eternally cloaked in darkness as they never bask in the Sun’s rays. To touch down in these uncharted territories, the spacecraft and its array of instruments must rely on an onboard battery, providing an alternative power source.
LUPEX’s ambitious objectives extend to probing the abundance of water in these polar domains, a discovery that could hold profound implications for future lunar exploration. Moreover, the mission seeks to explore the feasibility of establishing a long-term station within these lunar regions, a concept that opens new frontiers in space exploration.
In the collaborative spirit of the LUPEX mission, the launch vehicle and rover are slated to be contributions from the Japanese agency, JAXA, while ISRO will furnish the lander. Interestingly, JAXA is poised to launch its inaugural lunar landing mission to the Moon later this week, marking a pivotal moment in its lunar exploration endeavours.
Charting New Lunar Frontiers
As ISRO and JAXA unite their expertise and resources for the LUPEX mission, the world watches with anticipation. This endeavour not only exemplifies international cooperation in the realm of space exploration but also underscores the insatiable human curiosity to unlock the Moon’s mysteries. By venturing into the lunar poles, where the secrets of our cosmic neighbour lie shrouded in perpetual darkness, LUPEX promises to expand our understanding of the Moon and, perhaps, pave the way for future lunar outposts.
In summary, LUPEX represents a thrilling chapter in lunar exploration, where the combined efforts of ISRO and JAXA will illuminate the hidden corners of the Moon and, in doing so, further propel humanity’s celestial aspirations. As we inch closer to the 2024-25 launch window, the world eagerly anticipates the discoveries and revelations that LUPEX is poised to unveil on the lunar surface.
