Chandrayaan-5 Approved: India and Japan’s Joint Mission

A 250 kg rover will be sent to the Moon as part of the Chandrayaan-5 mission.

• Chandrayaan-4 is set to launch in 2027, with the primary objective of collecting lunar surface samples and bringing them back to Earth.
• The Indian government approved the ₹2,104 crore Chandrayaan-4 mission in September 2024.
• Chandrayaan-4 is expected to launch in 2027, followed by Chandrayaan-5 in 2028-29.
• The mission will help in a detailed study of the Moon’s surface.

The Indian government has approved Chandrayaan-5, an ambitious lunar research mission. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that ISRO is now preparing for this new Moon mission, which will conduct an in-depth study of the lunar surface. This time, a heavier rover will be sent to the Moon, providing scientists with more detailed data.

Chandrayaan-5 to be Named LUPEX

• Chandrayaan-5 will be a joint mission between ISRO and Japan’s space agency, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).
• The mission is named Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) and will be developed collaboratively by India and Japan.
• ISRO will build the lander system, while Japan will provide the rocket to transport the rover and lander.

A 250 kg rover will be sent to the Moon, equipped with advanced technology to study the Moon’s South Pole. The lander is expected to weigh around 26 tons, ensuring a balanced landing despite the heavier payload.

Chandrayaan Mission Timeline

India’s lunar exploration began with Chandrayaan-1 in 2008, which made significant discoveries about the Moon’s mineral and chemical composition.

• Chandrayaan-2 (2019) achieved 98% success, but its lander Vikram failed to land successfully.
• Chandrayaan-3 (2023) made history with a successful soft landing on the Moon’s South Pole on August 23, 2023.

With Chandrayaan-5, India and Japan aim to push lunar exploration further, ensuring more extensive scientific discoveries.