Context:
Recent analysis of data from ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has indicated that water-ice on the Moon could be more prevalent than previously understood.
More on the news:
The study, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, is based on data gathered by Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) instrument.
- ChasTE was a payload aboard Vikram (lander module) of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which provided on-site temperature data of the Moon’s surface and sub-surface.
ChaSTE acted as a “thermometer” and was the first instrument to take direct measurements near the polar regions.
Key Findings of the Study:
Areas beyond the polar regions, particularly in high-latitude zones (60°-80° north or south of the equator), could potentially harbor water-ice, especially in areas with slopes facing away from the Sun.
Significant temperature variations over short distances, especially in areas with varying surface inclines.
- Surface temperatures in inclined areas facing away from the Sun were observed to be lower, while sun-facing inclines recorded significantly higher temperatures.
- Almost a 60°C difference between the surface and sub-surface temperatures at a depth of just 10 cm which suggests a non-conductive layer on the Moon’s surface.
Such temperature variations hints at the presence of water-ice below the surface in certain regions, similar to conditions found in the Moon’s polar regions.
Temperature Measurements at the Shiv Shakti Landing Site:
- The Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-3, which landed near the Shiv Shakti point, recorded a temperature of 355 K (82°C) on a slope facing the Sun and 332 K (59°C) just a meter away on a flatter surface.
- These differences underscore the impact of surface topography on temperature variations and further imply that certain regions might harbor conditions suitable for water-ice accumulation.
Significance of the study:
- It offers critical insights into the Moon’s geological history, surface composition, and potential as a resource for future lunar missions.
- The discovery of potential water-ice sites in high-latitude regions is significant for future lunar exploration and resource prospecting.
- It has relevant for future missions like NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon by providing resources for life support systems and fuel production.
About Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
- Launched by the ISRO, it is India’s second attempt at achieving a successful lunar landing and roving after the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
- On August 23, 2023, the Lander Module (LM) of Chandrayaan-3, carrying the Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover, successfully achieved a historic soft landing on the Lunar South Pole.
- One of the main goals of Chandrayaan-3 is to search for water-ice on the Moon, especially in the Lunar South Pole region.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is divided into two key modules:
- Propulsion Module (PM):
- It carried the Lander and Rover configurations to the 100 km lunar orbit.
- It also carried a scientific payload called Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE). It aims to conduct spectro-polarimetric studies of Earth from lunar orbit, searching for smaller planets that could be habitable, based on reflected light.
- Lander Module (LM):
- The Lander Module consists of the Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover.
- The Vikram Lander successfully achieved the soft landing on the Moon’s surface and deployed the Pragyan Rover for surface exploration.
- ChasTE was a lander payload aboard the Vikram lander.
- The Pragyan Rover is tasked with conducting scientific experiments and analyzing lunar soil, furthering the mission’s goal of water-ice discovery.