Lunar Polar Exploration Mission

The Lunar Polar Exploration Mission is a robotic lunar mission concept by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)[6][7] that would send a lunar rover and lander to explore the south pole region of the Moon in 2024.[1][2][5] JAXA is likely to provide the under-development H3 launch vehicle and the rover, while ISRO would be responsible for the lander.[7][8]

Not to be confused with Chandrayaan-3.
Lunar Polar Exploration Mission
NamesLunar Polar Exploration[1][2]
Mission typeLunar lander, rover
OperatorISRO / JAXA
Websitewww.exploration.jaxa.jp/e/program/lunarpolar/
Mission duration6 months (planned)[3]
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerLander: ISRO
Launcher and rover: JAXA
Launch mass≈6,000 kg (13,000 lb) [4]
Payload mass≈500 kg (1,100 lb) [3]
Start of mission
Launch dateSuggested: 2024[1][2]
RocketH3[5]
Launch siteLA-Y, Tanegashima
ContractorJAXA
Moon lander
Spacecraft componentRover
Landing siteSouth polar region
Moon rover
 

The mission concept has not yet been formally proposed for funding and planning.[9]

In November 2019, ISRO officials stated that a new lunar lander mission was being studied for launch in November 2020; this new proposal is called Chandrayaan-3 and it would be performed by ISRO alone as a repeat attempt to demonstrate the landing capabilities needed for the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission proposed in partnership with Japan in 2024.[10]

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.[11][8] For precision landing it would utilize a feature matching algorithm and navigational equipment derived from JAXA's SLIM mission.[4][12] The lander's payload capacity would be nearly 500 kg (1,100 lb) including 350 kg (770 lb) rover.[3][13] The rover would carry multiple instruments by JAXA and ISRO including a drill to collect sub-surface samples from 1.5 m (4.9 ft) depth.[14][3] Water prospecting and analysis are likely to be mission objectives.[7][15] Payload proposals from other space agencies might be sought.[6][12]

On 24 September 2019, in a joint statement by JAXA and NASA discussed possibility of NASA's participation as well.[16]

See also

References
  1. After Mars, ISRO to Set a Date with Venus. Trak. Malvika Gurung. 20 May 2019.
  2. After Reaching Mars, India's Date With Venus In 2023 Confirmed, Says ISRO. U. Tejonmayam, India Times. 18 May 2019.
  3. "国際協力による月探査計画への参画に向けて参考資料" (PDF). MEXT.jp. 29 August 2019. p. 21. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  4. "月離着陸実証（HERACLES)ミッションの紹介 と検討状況" (PDF). 28 January 2019. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  5. Shimbun, The Yomiuri (2019-07-30). "Japan, India to team up in race to discover water on moon". The Japan News. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  6. "India's next Moon shot will be bigger, in pact with Japan". The Times of India. 2019-07-07. Retrieved 2019-06-21. 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.
  7. "Episode 82: Jaxa and International Collaboration with Professor Fujimoto Masaki". AstrotalkUK. 2019-01-04. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  8. Hoshino, Takeshi; Ohtake, Makiko; Karouji, Yuzuru; Shiraishi, Hiroaki (May 2019). "Current status of a Japanese lunar polar exploration mission". Archived from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  9. ISRO planning 7 interplanetary missions, Venus on the to-do list. Sidharth MP, DNA. 18 May 2019.
  10. https://thewire.in/space/isro-chandrayaan-3-lunar-lander-rover-gaganyaan ISRO Will Embark on Chandrayaan 3 by November 2020 for Another Landing Attempt. The Wire. 14 November 2019.
  11. Sasaki, Hiroshi (17 June 2019). "JAXA's Lunar Exploration Activities" (PDF). UNOOSA. p. 8. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  12. NASA Exploration Science Forum 2019 - Masaki Fujimoto. Event occurs at 3 minute 6 seconds.
  13. "Objective and Configuration of a Planned Lunar Polar Exploration Mission" (PDF). 1 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  14. Spaceflight, Meghan Bartels 2019-10-23T13:00:22Z. "Japan Sets Sights on Moon with NASA and India". Space.com. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  15. Six-day cruise lies ahead for India's Chandrayaan-2 probe before the real lunar shenanigans begin. Richard Speed, The Register. 14 August 2019.
  16. "JAXA | Joint Statement on Cooperation in Lunar Exploration". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
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