NASA Supplies Neutron Spectrometer for JAXA and ISRO's Lunar Polar Exploration Mission

NASA is providing the Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS) to the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, led by JAXA and ISRO, to locate water ice on the Moon's South Pole. The NSS will be installed on a lunar rover set to arrive by 2028, contributing to efforts in identifying lunar water resources critical for future human exploration. Scientists will use the NSS to detect hydrogen concentrations, indicating the presence of water ice beneath the surface, which is vital for sustainable lunar missions.

Published Mar 25, 2026

NASA is collaborating with JAXA and ISRO on the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, supplying the Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS) to help locate water ice on the Moon. The NSS will be mounted on a rover scheduled to arrive no earlier than 2028.

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This initiative aims to identify and characterize lunar water, which is essential for human exploration. The NSS detects hydrogen by measuring neutron interactions in the lunar soil, indicating potential ice deposits. NASA's ongoing efforts include multiple NSS instruments for different lunar missions to enhance understanding of water resources at the Moon's South Pole.