LUPEX
Lunar Polar Exploration

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX)LUPEX is a joint mission with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to explore water resources in the lunar
south polar region. Through this mission, JAXA aims to acquire surface exploration technology on gravitational bodies.
The analysis of lunar observation data to date suggests that water resources may exist in the lunar polar regions.
LUPEX’s objective is to collect data on the quantity and quality of water resources, and to understand water concentration
mechanism to determine the extent to which lunar water resources can be used for future sustainable space exploration activities.
Furthermore, JAXA aims to demonstrate technologies related to surface exploration of gravitational bodies, such as"surface mobility" "night survivability" and "excavation," which are necessary for future lunar exploration activities.
These technologies will be utilized in the development of the "Crewed Pressurized Rover".

LauncherJapan

Landing System
India
Rover SystemJapan

Launch Target

2025-2026

Launcher

H3

Launch Mass

6MT -Payload Mass

350 kg -(Lander + Rover)(Rover + Science Instruments)

Upper left: CG Image of LUPEX RoverLower left: Japan/India Responsibilities
Upper right: CG Image of Landing

Lunar Water Resources
Water can be electrolyzed to produce rocket fuel (oxygen andhydrogen). If there is enough water, it will be an important resource for
future crewed space activities because it will eliminate the need totransport large quantities of fuel from the earth.
For this reason, not only Japan but also space agencies around theworld are now planning to investigate water (ice)resources in the polar
regions of the Moon.
LUPEX will land in an area where past remote sensing observations
indicate the high possibility of existence of water (ice) . LUPEX rover
will directly measure the water content by in-situ observation..
In addition, by observing the distribution and existence of water
resources and quantifying its amount, LUPEX will collect the basic
data on the potential use of water resources and contribute to the"Artemis Program," an international space exploration program
proposed by the United States.

Hydrogen distribution in the lunar south pole
(Sanin et al. 2017)

LUPEX Observation Instruments
Front

Rear871Volatile Gas

63104TRITON

Heating Section

95ADOREISAPWeighing Section

2LTGA

1 Resource Investigating Water Analyzer (REIWA) ②2 Lunar Thermogravimetric Analyzer (LTGA) ③3 Triple-reflection Reflectron (TRITON)①4 Aquatic Detector using Optical Resonance (ADORE) ⑤5 International Symposium of Antennas and Propagation (ISAP)④6 Advanced Lunar Imaging Spectrometer (ALIS) ⑦
7 Neutron Spectrometer (NS) ⑧8 Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)⑥910⑨ Exospheric Mass Spectrometer for LUPEX (EMS-L) ⑩ Mid-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (MIR)

1 Resource Investigating Water Analyzer①（REIWA）

8 Ground Penetrating Radar⑧（GPR）

Receives regolith excavated by the drill. The received
2 LTGA. LTGA measures the weight ofsample is heated by ②
3 TRITON
the regolith sample and the volatile gas generated. ③
measures the volatile gas composition (H2O, H2S, NH3, etc.)
4 ADORE measures the amount of waterand volume ratio. ④5 ISAP independently observes regolithin the volatile gas. ⑤
samples and identifies mineral composition.

Determines the Moon’s subterranean state by transmittinga radio wave toward the lunar surface and measuring thereception time and the strength of the reflected radio waves
back from the underground.

6 Advanced Lunar Imaging Spectrometer⑥（ALIS）

Determines what minerals are present on the lunar surface,whether water is present, and if so, the amount of water
present. It captures the intensity of light at wavelengths
between 750 and 1650 nm. ALIS can change the field of viewby using 2-axis (horizontal and vertical) movable mirrors.
7 Neutron Spectrometer⑦（NS）Determines the average water content of the regolith down
to a depth of about 1 m by observing neutrons leaking fromthe lunar surface by energy. It uses the property that neutrons
produced by the interaction between galactic cosmic rays andthe nuclei of lunar materials are efficiently slowed down by
the presence of water (hydrogen).

9 Exospheric Mass Spectrometer for LUPEX（EMS-L）⑨Analyzes the gas species and molecules that make up thevery dilute lunar atmosphere. It also detects the presence ofwater down to a depth of 1.5 m below the surface by analyzing
the gases produced when the regolith is drilled.
10 Mid-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer⑩（MIR）Detects the presence of water on the lunar surface bycapturing the intensity of light at wavelengths between 800
and 5000 nm.

Instruments Provided by1 ②2 ③3 ④4 ⑥6
JAXA ①5810
ISRO ⑤ ⑧ ⑩7National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) ⑦9
European Space Agency (ESA) ⑨

Mission Overview■ LUPEX Landing Site Candidates

Topographic Map of Lunar South PoleIn the lunar south polar region where water is
expected to be present, the number of safe landingsites is very limited. JAXA is working with ISRO
to select landing sites that meet the multiple
criteria listed below.
Ø Illumination needs to be secured as asource of energy for the roverØ Earth visibility for sending commands
from earth to the roverØ Slope at which the lander can safely
land and the rover can travel
Ø Scientific perspective: temperatureand geology needed to understand thewater distribution in the lunar polar
regions
Potential Landing Sites (Under Consideration)■ Exploration area and observation flow

Waypoint 3

Near the landing site, target points (waypoints) andexploration areas with characteristic features oftemperature, illumination, and geology will beselected, and a global path will be planned in advance.
From the landing site, the rover will move to theexploration area based on the path plan, conduct
observation operations, and recharge batteries.
For each exploration area, the following observation
operations will be carried out :1. Coarse observation: acquisition of basic data for
determination of drilling locations in theexploration area
2. Fine observation: regolith sample collection fromthe 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 morphology, and abundance.

Charging Point 3
Waypoint 2
Charging Point 2

Waypoint 1

Charging Point 1

Landing Site：Landing Site：Waypoint：Exploration Area：Charging Point

Exploring 30 x 30 m area
at each waypoint
・Coarse Observation
・Fine Observation

Example of Landing Site and Exploration Area

Web Page

JAXA Space Exploration Center (JSEC) Web Page
https://www.exploration.jaxa.jp/e/index.html

LUPEX “X” Account@lupex_jaxa

JSEC “X” Account@jsec_jaxa_en