India’s space exploration journey has entered an exciting new chapter. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has received approval from the Indian government to move forward with the Chandrayaan-5 mission. This mission promises to take India’s lunar exploration efforts to the next level, with the ambitious plan of deploying a 250 kg rover to the Moon. This announcement comes as a follow-up to the success of previous missions, particularly Chandrayaan-3, which demonstrated India’s growing capability in space exploration.
On March 16, 2025, V Narayanan, chairman of ISRO, announced, "The Centre has approved the Chandrayaan-5 mission." Unlike its predecessor, the Chandrayaan-5 mission will be more advanced, marking a leap in both the size and complexity of the equipment to be sent to the Moon. The mission aims to deploy a rover 10 times larger than the Pragyan rover from Chandrayaan-3, significantly enhancing its scientific capabilities.
The Chandrayaan-5 mission, also known as the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX), is a joint initiative by ISRO and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The collaboration aims to provide a robust framework for lunar exploration, combining India’s expertise in spacecraft launching and landing with Japan’s advanced scientific instruments and technologies.
Scheduled for launch in 2028-2029, Chandrayaan-5 seeks to explore the Moon’s south pole, a region that remains in permanent shadow and is believed to potentially harbor water ice. Scientists regard this ice as crucial for future lunar habitats, as it could be utilized for drinking water, oxygen production, and even rocket fuel, thus facilitating deeper space exploration.
According to reports, the mission will utilize the H3 launch vehicle provided by JAXA to carry the lunar lander, which ISRO will produce. The rover, weighing approximately 250 kg, is expected to be equipped with state-of-the-art technology aimed at conducting a variety of scientific experiments. This includes analyzing the lunar surface, examining the mineral composition, and determining the quantity and quality of any water-ice present.
Chandrayaan-5's design reflects a commitment to deeper scientific understanding of the Moon’s resources and geological history. By mapping the distribution of minerals and potential water sources, this mission will lay the groundwork for potential human habitation on the Moon and future energy solutions based on lunar resources.
Chandrayaan-4, which is set to be launched in 2027, aims at sieving through lunar soil samples to return them to Earth for more detailed analysis. This mission, focusing on lunar sample returns, is essential for understanding the Moon's composition and will inform subsequent exploration activities, including those planned for Chandrayaan-5.
As India pushes towards its goal of achieving a human landing on the Moon by 2040, the Chandrayaan-5 mission stands as a critical step in that journey. This mission exemplifies not only a technological leap forward but also the significance of international collaboration in tackling complex challenges in space exploration.
The collaboration between ISRO and JAXA represents a growing trend of global partnerships wherein countries pool their resources and technological expertise to accomplish ambitious goals. Japan’s involvement, supported by its success in space missions like the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), showcases how these types of alliances facilitate significant advances in lunar science and technology.
Chandrayaan-5 will consist of several phases, including launch, lunar orbit insertion, rover deployment, and scientific exploration. Once in lunar orbit, the spacecraft will conduct thorough surface mapping to identify areas of interest for the rover's activities. This rover will then deploy to perform extensive experiments to analyze soil samples and search for water ice deposits.
One of the most important scientific goals of Chandrayaan-5 is to accurately assess the amount of water ice that could be present in the Moon’s south pole region. Knowledge regarding this resource could enable long-term human missions and potentially support the establishment of a permanent lunar base. Scientists will use specialized instruments to collect and analyze data regarding the Moon's composition, providing insights into its geological processes over billions of years.
ISRO is also gearing towards the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX), aimed at expanding research on the Moon’s polar regions. The vision is not solely about reaching the Moon; it is about establishing a continual presence and contributing to the global understanding of lunar resources, crucial for future lunar bases and human exploration efforts.
As the timeline unfolds with the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 and 5 missions, the cumulative efforts reflect India's ambitious strategy and commitment to becoming a key player in the field of lunar exploration. The global community watches closely as India rises in its space endeavors, marking a significant chapter in the history of space science.
