Thu May 15 18:01:12 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for its 101st launch, the PSLV-C61 / EOS-09 mission, scheduled for May 18th. The EOS-09, an Earth observation satellite with advanced all-weather imaging capabilities, will significantly boost India’s surveillance. Simultaneously, ISRO and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) are collaborating on the Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX mission, focusing on studying lunar volatile materials near the lunar south pole. The project received financial approval in March 2025 and will involve a JAXA launch vehicle carrying an ISRO lander and a Japanese rover, with contributions from multiple international space agencies.

**News Article:**

**ISRO Gears Up for 101st Launch, Deepens Lunar Collaboration with Japan**

**Bengaluru, May 15, 2025** – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to achieve a significant milestone with its 101st launch, the PSLV-C61 / EOS-09 mission, scheduled for May 18th at 5:59 a.m. IST from Sriharikota.

The EOS-09 satellite is a state-of-the-art Earth observation platform equipped with C-band synthetic aperture radar, providing high-resolution, all-weather imaging capabilities that will enhance India’s surveillance. ISRO confirmed that the PSLV rocket has been transferred to the Mobile Service Tower at the launch site for final integration.

In parallel with this launch, ISRO is strengthening its international partnerships, particularly with JAXA, the Japanese space agency. The two organizations recently concluded their third Technical Interface Meeting in Bengaluru, focusing on the Chandrayaan-5 / Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission.

This ambitious joint venture, approved by the Indian government in March, aims to study lunar volatile materials, including water, in the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar south pole. Building upon the success of previous Chandrayaan missions, LUPEX will utilize a JAXA H3-24L launch vehicle carrying an ISRO-developed lunar lander and a Japanese-built rover.

“The Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX mission will be the fifth mission in the Chandrayaan series of lunar missions, in collaboration with JAXA, to study the lunar volatile materials, including lunar water, in the vicinity of a Permanently Shadowed Region in the lunar south pole,” ISRO officials stated.

The mission will feature scientific instruments contributed by ISRO, JAXA, ESA (European Space Agency), and NASA, highlighting the international collaboration in exploring the lunar south pole. The Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX mission is anticipated to provide invaluable insights into the distribution and composition of lunar resources, furthering our understanding of the Moon’s history and potential for future exploration.

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