Water resource exploration on the Moon surface by the LUPEX Rover
LUPEX’s objective is to collect data on the quantity and quality of water resources and its concentration principles in order to determine the extent lunar water resources can be used for future sustainable space exploration activities.
LUPEX rover’s mission instruments
LUPEX rover will be equipped with the following instruments.
① Resource Investigating Water Analyzer (REIWA) • Lunar Thermogravimetric Analyzer (LTGA) • Triple-reflection Reflectron (TRITON) • Aquatic Detector using Optical Resonance (ADORE) • ISRO Sample Analysis Package (ISAP) ② Advanced Lunar Imaging Spectrometer (ALIS) ③ Neutron Spectrometer (NS) ④ Exospheric Mass Spectrometer for LUPEX (EMS-L) ⑤ Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) ⑥ Mid-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (MIR) ⑦ Permittivity and Thermophysical Investigation for Moon's Aquatic Scout (PRATHIMA)
LUPEX rover system
| Subsystem | Main components |
| Power | Flat shape unfolding solar array panel, Li-OH batteries |
| Communication | X-band, S-band or Wi-Fi, High gain antenna, Low gain antenna |
| Mobility | 4-legged crawler, Four-wheel independent steering mechanism |
| Regolith handling | 1.5m earth auger |
| Thermal | Radiators on top, Looped heat pipes |
| Navigation | Navigation camera, Hazard cameras, Lights, IMU, STT |
International Collaboration
LUPEX is an international joint mission with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Japan will be responsible for the development and operation of the launch vehicle and rover, while India will be responsible for the development and operation of the lander.
The LUPEX rover will carry not only Japanese instruments but also Indian, American, and European instruments.
LUPEX Rover mission logo
The LUPEX Rover mission logo is designed to incorporate LUPEX Rover features such as solar panels, a drill, and a high-gain antenna.
Mission Overview
| Launch year | No earlier than 2026 |
| Launch vehicle | H3 |
| Launch site | Tanegashima space center |
| Launch mass | 6.5tons |
| Rover mass | 350kg (incl. mission instruments) |
| Rover size (L x W x H) | 2.0m x 1.8m x 3.3m |
| Mission duration | 3.5 month after landing (max. one year) |
Exploration Area and observation flow
Near the landing site, target points (waypoints) and exploration areas with characteristic features of temperature, illumination, and geology will be selected, and a global path will be planned in advance. From the landing site, the rover will move to the exploration area based on the path plan, conduct observation operations, and recharge batteries.
The following observation operations will be carried out :
- Coarse observation: acquisition of basic data for determination of drilling locations in the exploration area
- Fine observation: regolith sample collection from the surface to a depth of about 1.5 m
Further detailed analysis will be conducted with REIWA to obtain data on the distribution of water (ice), its forms, and abundance.
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