Chandrayaan 4: Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX)

Our universe is so vast and scattered infinitely that a human mind can’t even comprehend it. It perfectly fits our universe that the more you explore it, the more curious you become to know more. Chandrayaan 4 is the result of the same curiosity and passion to explore and know more about the Moon and its surface for the betterment and advancement of human beings. India, after becoming the only country to land on the south pole of the lunar surface, has decided to expand its research and exploration of the moon with Chandrayaan 4. In this article, we are going to learn more about Chandrayaan 4 model, its objectives, and when is it expected.

1. Introduction

Chandrayaan 4, also known as the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) is a joint initiative of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). After the successful landing of Chandrayaan 3 on the South Pole of the moon, India and Japan are all set to expand the horizons of this research to the next level.

Chandrayaan 4 will continue the mission of its three predecessors Chandrayaan 1, 2, and 3, and will look for the sources of water on the south pole of the moon. The availability of water on the moon can provide exponential growth in the exploration of space.

In this combined mission by ISRO and JAXA, the Chandrayaan 4 model contains a rocket that will be used for the mission, the H3 Launch Vehicle, which will be provided by Japan. Just like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, there will be a Rover and a Lander in this mission to explore the lunar surface. While the rocket and rover will be provided by Japan and the Lander will be provided by ISRO.

2. Background of Chandrayaan 4

The collaboration between these two states can be traced back to December 2017, when ISRO and JAXA formally signed an agreement. This agreement was signed only for the purpose of joint exploration of the polar regions of the moon to find the sources of water.

After the success of Chandrayaan 3, the agreement was given a new direction to use the data collected to expand the process of exploration. By using the details provided by the lander Vikram, Chandrayaan 4 can exceed the limits to a great extent. This joint initiative was not possible until the safe landing of the Chandrayaan 3 lander. The event of crashing of Chandrayaan 2 lander faded the chances of collaboration of such scale but thanks to the soft and safe landing of Chandrayaan 3, the speed of the process has increased trifold.

3. Objectives of Chandrayaan 4

Water is a necessity of every living being, no matter where you are, on earth or on the moon. To help facilitate the further exploration of space, having sources of water on the moon can make the things possible that were considered impossible before.

The mission of Chandrayaan 4 is to continue the exploration of water in the polar regions on the lunar surface. There are two main objectives of this mission, to find the quantity and the quality of water on the surface of the moon.

These two goals can be achieved using observational and ground truth data. On successfully completing this mission, ISRO and JAXA will have a complete picture of how much water we will require to bring from the earth and how much water can be extracted from the moon for future colonies.

4. Timeline of Chandrayaan 4

The Chandrayaan 4 is expected to be launched after 2025 from Tanegashima, Japan. The duration of this mission would be around 6 months. During this duration, the rover and the lander will be exploring only one this, water. Chandrayaan 4 rover will be equipped with a 1.5-meter drill that will help analyze the rocks and surface of the moon.

5. Challenges for Chandrayaan 4

Although there is an ample amount of data collected by the rover and lander of Chandrayaan 3, still landing on the polar region of the moon is a challenging task. The temperature of this region can also play a negative role in navigation and exploration because, in such a low temperature, it becomes difficult to use tools and machines with effectiveness. Just like other missions of the Chandrayaan program, the success of Chandrayaan 4 can change the course of history in space exploration and research. The sources of water will not only facilitate lives on the lunar surface but can also provide a source of fuel that can help spacecrafts to increase their journeys into outer space. Let’s hope that Chandrayaan 4, just like Chandrayaan 3, will bring new opportunities and a world of possibilities.

6. Conclusion

In conclusion, Chandrayaan 4 will represent a significant leap forward in India’s lunar exploration efforts. With its ambitious objectives, advanced technology, and international collaborations, this mission promises to uncover new frontiers of knowledge about the Moon. Chandrayaan 4 will not only deepen our understanding of our celestial neighbor but also inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts to continue the exploration of the cosmos.