2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
[PPS05-08] Latest Status on Japanese Lunar Polar Exploration Mission
Keywords:lunar polar exploration, lunar water ice, resource availability
Japanese lunar exploration missions:
JAXA aims to conduct sustainable lunar exploration activities in the next 50 years, such as operation of lunar base with international partners and private sectors. To realize this goal, we will conduct technology demonstration step-by-step. In October 2020, Japan, the United States, and six partner nations have agreed to develop practical principles to guide space exploration cooperation and signed the Artemis Agreement. The Japanese government had decided to officially join this international space exploration, and to proceed on coordination in the several areas including sharing of data acquired from our lunar exploration missions and technologies for lunar landing site selection.
Regarding lunar surface robotic missions, JAXA is developing Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon (SLIM), which aims to demonstrate the high-precision landing technology. Following this SLIM mission, Lunar Polar Exploration mission (LUPEX) is aimed at investigating the water ice resources in the lunar polar region. This is a collaborative mission with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Objectives of the lunar polar exploration:
There is strong interest in using water ice (if present) as an in-situ resources. Specifically, using water ice as a propellant will significantly affect future exploration scenarios and activities because the propellant generated from the water can be used for ascent from the lunar surface. We need to find out, by direct measurement on the lunar surface, the presence of water ice, it’s quantity, quality (pure water or contain other phases), and usability (how deep do we need to drill or how much energy is required to get water) in order to assess if we can use it as resources. Obtaining data to understand the principle of the water distribution and concentration is necessary to estimate the quantity and quality of water across the Moon.
Spacecraft configuration:
The spacecraft system is based on direct communication with the Earth. The target mass of the spacecraft (incl. payload and propellant) is about 6ton and the payload mass is about 350kg. After the spacecraft reaches the Moon, it is inserted into a circular orbit having a 100km altitude via a few orbital changes. During powered-descent phase, the position of the lander is estimated by landmark navigation using shadows created by the terrain. After landing, the rover is deployed on the lunar surface using ramps. The rover then prospects water ice with its observation instruments.
Status on the mission:
We passed one of the gate reviews, System Requirement Review (SRR). ISRO/JAXA have almost completed the conceptual design (i.e. Phase-A study) under the Implementation Arrangement (IA) for the LUPEX mission, in which JAXA provides a launch vehicle and a rover while ISRO provides a lander. JAXA is going to select manufactures for the mission instruments to be loaded on the rover and will choose a prime contractor for the rover development in this year. A next gate review, System Definition Review (SDR) will be held by the end of this year.
Study on Post-landing Operational Flow:
Depending on the location of the landing site and the sunlight conditions, it is possible to accomplish the mission by rearranging the operation sequences and postponing the planned observation until next sunlight period. Because of the necessity to locate the landing site quickly after landing, a quick position determination function for the rover system shall be included in the ground system requirements.
Preparation Status of Output Data Creation Team:
LUPEX Pre-project is preparing for the Output Data Creation Team (ODCT) which will be responsible for output data. As a part of the ODCT preparation activities since last summer, the LUPEX Pre-project Team has been interviewing the instrument leads and other members. We are discussing the information on how to process the data obtained from each instrument, combine the derived information and create the products, as well as the observation timing and observation requirements for the operational study.
JAXA aims to conduct sustainable lunar exploration activities in the next 50 years, such as operation of lunar base with international partners and private sectors. To realize this goal, we will conduct technology demonstration step-by-step. In October 2020, Japan, the United States, and six partner nations have agreed to develop practical principles to guide space exploration cooperation and signed the Artemis Agreement. The Japanese government had decided to officially join this international space exploration, and to proceed on coordination in the several areas including sharing of data acquired from our lunar exploration missions and technologies for lunar landing site selection.
Regarding lunar surface robotic missions, JAXA is developing Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon (SLIM), which aims to demonstrate the high-precision landing technology. Following this SLIM mission, Lunar Polar Exploration mission (LUPEX) is aimed at investigating the water ice resources in the lunar polar region. This is a collaborative mission with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Objectives of the lunar polar exploration:
There is strong interest in using water ice (if present) as an in-situ resources. Specifically, using water ice as a propellant will significantly affect future exploration scenarios and activities because the propellant generated from the water can be used for ascent from the lunar surface. We need to find out, by direct measurement on the lunar surface, the presence of water ice, it’s quantity, quality (pure water or contain other phases), and usability (how deep do we need to drill or how much energy is required to get water) in order to assess if we can use it as resources. Obtaining data to understand the principle of the water distribution and concentration is necessary to estimate the quantity and quality of water across the Moon.
Spacecraft configuration:
The spacecraft system is based on direct communication with the Earth. The target mass of the spacecraft (incl. payload and propellant) is about 6ton and the payload mass is about 350kg. After the spacecraft reaches the Moon, it is inserted into a circular orbit having a 100km altitude via a few orbital changes. During powered-descent phase, the position of the lander is estimated by landmark navigation using shadows created by the terrain. After landing, the rover is deployed on the lunar surface using ramps. The rover then prospects water ice with its observation instruments.
Status on the mission:
We passed one of the gate reviews, System Requirement Review (SRR). ISRO/JAXA have almost completed the conceptual design (i.e. Phase-A study) under the Implementation Arrangement (IA) for the LUPEX mission, in which JAXA provides a launch vehicle and a rover while ISRO provides a lander. JAXA is going to select manufactures for the mission instruments to be loaded on the rover and will choose a prime contractor for the rover development in this year. A next gate review, System Definition Review (SDR) will be held by the end of this year.
Study on Post-landing Operational Flow:
Depending on the location of the landing site and the sunlight conditions, it is possible to accomplish the mission by rearranging the operation sequences and postponing the planned observation until next sunlight period. Because of the necessity to locate the landing site quickly after landing, a quick position determination function for the rover system shall be included in the ground system requirements.
Preparation Status of Output Data Creation Team:
LUPEX Pre-project is preparing for the Output Data Creation Team (ODCT) which will be responsible for output data. As a part of the ODCT preparation activities since last summer, the LUPEX Pre-project Team has been interviewing the instrument leads and other members. We are discussing the information on how to process the data obtained from each instrument, combine the derived information and create the products, as well as the observation timing and observation requirements for the operational study.