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Chandrayaan-5: A New Era in Lunar Exploration

An Insight into the India-Japan Lunar Mission

Chandrayaan-5: A New Era in Lunar Exploration

  • 20 May, 2025
  • 376

Understanding the Chandrayaan-5 Mission

The Chandrayaan-5 mission, also known as LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration), is a groundbreaking lunar initiative launched through collaboration between India and Japan. The primary aim of this mission is to study the presence of water and ice on the Moon's surface and subsurface, focusing specifically on areas near the lunar south pole.

Agencies Involved in Chandrayaan-5

This ambitious project is a partnership between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Their combined expertise enhances the mission's potential for success.

Main Objectives of the Mission

The core objective of Chandrayaan-5 is to locate and analyze areas on the Moon that may contain water and ice. Additionally, the mission aims to assess the mineral composition of the lunar soil through in-situ observations, thereby enriching our understanding of the Moon's geology.

Current Status of Chandrayaan-5

As of now, the instrument selection and engineering model testing phases are nearing completion. Both ISRO and JAXA are advancing into the preliminary design phase for the lander and rover, marking a significant step forward in the mission's timeline.

Expected Launch Timeline

The launch of Chandrayaan-5 is anticipated to take place sometime between 2027 and 2028, utilizing Japan's H3 rocket for deployment to the lunar surface.

Key Components of the Mission

ISRO is responsible for developing the lander, while JAXA will construct a 350-kg rover equipped with seven scientific instruments, including contributions from NASA and ESA. This collaborative effort aims to maximize the scientific output from the mission.

Mission Duration on the Moon

The operational period of Chandrayaan-5 on the Moon is expected to last approximately 3.5 months, translating to around 100 days of exploration and data collection.

Significance of India's Role

This mission follows India's remarkable achievement with Chandrayaan-3, which successfully performed the first soft landing on the Moon's south pole in 2023. This event has positioned India as a significant player in lunar exploration.

Proposed Future Missions

Looking ahead, the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission is planned as a return sample mission, with the goal of bringing lunar soil samples back to Earth for detailed mineral analysis conducted by ISRO.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the main focus of the Chandrayaan-5 mission?
Answer: The primary focus of the Chandrayaan-5 mission is to explore the Moon for water and ice, particularly near the south pole, and analyze lunar soil composition.

Q2. Who are the key players involved in the Chandrayaan-5 mission?
Answer: The mission involves a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), combining their expertise for successful lunar exploration.

Q3. When is the expected launch date for Chandrayaan-5?
Answer: The anticipated launch date for the Chandrayaan-5 mission is set between 2027 and 2028, utilizing Japan's H3 rocket for transportation to the lunar surface.

Q4. What is the duration of the Chandrayaan-5 mission on the Moon?
Answer: The Chandrayaan-5 mission is expected to operate on the Moon for approximately 3.5 months, or around 100 days, collecting valuable data.

Q5. What advancements does Chandrayaan-5 build upon?
Answer: Chandrayaan-5 builds upon India's previous success with Chandrayaan-3, which made history as the first mission to successfully soft-land on the Moon's south pole in 2023.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the primary goal of the Chandrayaan-5 mission?
A) Explore Mars
B) Study lunar water and ice
C) Develop new satellites
D) Conduct manned missions
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which agencies are involved in the Chandrayaan-5 mission?
A) NASA and ESA
B) ISRO and JAXA
C) CNSA and ISRO
D) ESA and CNSA
Correct Answer: B

 

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