Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) programme

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently welcomed the agreement between ISRO and JAXA for the Chandrayaan-5 mission under the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) programme.

Key Highlights

Chandrayaan-5 under LUPEX Programme

• Jointly developed by ISRO (India) and JAXA (Japan).
• Aims to explore the Moon’s south pole and study hidden resources, particularly water ice.

Agreement Exchanged

• The Implementing Arrangement for LUPEX was exchanged between:
  • Matsuura Mayumi, Vice President, JAXA
  • Sibi George, Indian Ambassador to Japan

Legacy of Chandrayaan Missions

• Follows the success of Chandrayaan-3 (2023), which achieved the first soft landing near the lunar south pole.
• Chandrayaan-5 will be the fifth mission in India’s lunar series.

Mission Launch & Components

• To be launched on JAXA’s H3-24L rocket.
• Will carry an ISRO-built lunar lander and a Japanese rover.
• ISRO to provide several scientific instruments for lunar study.

Long-Term Lunar Roadmap

• Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX marks a step towards India’s ambition of sending astronauts to the Moon by 2040.