Chandrayaan-3, the ambitious Indian lunar mission, has achieved groundbreaking milestones with its Vikram lander and Pragyan rover actively exploring the Moon's enigmatic surface. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has provided an update on their research, indicating that the Vikram Lander has detected "natural" phenomena. Prior to this, the rover had made a significant discovery by identifying the presence of elements like sulphur and oxygen at the lunar south pole.
On August 26, 2023, the Vikram Lander, a part of Chandrayaan-3, captured a seismic event (moonquake) on the lunar surface, using a state-of-the-art payload known as the Instrument for the Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA). This event, believed to be natural, has set the scientific community abuzz, as ISRO continues its investigation to pinpoint the source of this lunar phenomenon.
ILSA, a technological marvel, features a cluster of six accelerometers, all meticulously crafted using Silicon Micro-machining. These accelerometers possess unparalleled sensitivity and are designed to detect even the slightest vibrations on the moon's surface. With precision, ILSA records lunar seismic activity, unravelling mysteries buried beneath the lunar regolith.
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The ILSA payload was created and constructed at LEOS in Bangalore, in collaboration with contributions from the private sector. The deployment mechanism responsible for positioning ILSA on the lunar surface was designed and engineered by URSC, located in Bengaluru.
Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander and Pragyan rover have also conducted the first-ever in-situ measurements of the lunar plasma environment near the Moon's South Pole. This achievement holds immense promise for our understanding of lunar atmospheric conditions.
RAMBHA-LP, an integral instrument on Chandrayaan-3, diligently collected data on the density of the lunar plasma environment. This invaluable information can revolutionise lunar communication during future missions and guide the design of upcoming lunar exploratory endeavours.
APXS, installed on the Pragyan rover, made headlines by confirming the presence of Sulphur (S) on the Moon's South Pole. This revelation has ignited the scientific community's curiosity, prompting extensive investigations into the origin of this Lunar Sulphur, whether it is an inherent lunar component or a result of geological or cosmic phenomena.
APXS operates by employing radioactive sources to emit alpha particles and X-rays onto lunar surface samples. The emitted X-rays carry the fingerprints of the elements present in the Moon's soil and rocks. Through meticulous analysis of these X-rays, researchers can decipher the moon's elemental composition with remarkable precision.
Scientists are closely studying whether the Sulphur is an intrinsic lunar component, a consequence of past volcanic eruptions, or a testament to the moon's tumultuous history involving meteorite impacts. Unravelling this mystery promises to unlock crucial insights into lunar geology.
The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, India, played a crucial role in developing the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) payload. PRL's expertise has significantly contributed to Chandrayaan-3's scientific achievements, helping us unlock some of the Moon's secrets.
Chandrayaan-3's relentless pursuit of knowledge and its astonishing discoveries serve as an inspiration for future lunar exploration endeavours. These findings not only expand our understanding of the moon but also pave the way for more ambitious and scientifically rewarding missions to our celestial neighbour. Pragyan rover and Vikram lander will be operational for 6 more days, before the Lunar South Pole gets dark again.