ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission is on a pause right now but that can change on September 22. Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, which temporarily rest in 'sleep mode', are expected to wake up on this day. If the module survives the harsh lunar night, ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission will continue further exploration of the moon.
And even if it does not, ISRO already has already made some key discoveries. Let's take a look!
Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander delved deep into the Moon's ionosphere, meticulously measuring electron densities ranging from 5 million to 30 million per cubic meter. These densities exhibited intriguing fluctuations during the lunar day, offering invaluable insights into future lunar communication technology.
Vikram's advanced drill technology probed the lunar surface, revealing temperatures 8 centimetres beneath the surface that differed by a staggering 60 degrees Celsius from surface temperatures. This discovery challenges conventional wisdom and is poised to significantly impact the planning of future lunar habitats.
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Equipped with a sensitive seismograph, the lander recorded a brief but significant seismic event, lasting approximately four seconds. This event is believed to be either a minor "moonquake" or the consequence of a small meteorite impact. Such seismic revelations offer crucial insights into the Moon's geological activity.
Chandrayaan-3's Vikram rover made a groundbreaking discovery by confirming the presence of sulphur on the lunar surface, particularly in the vicinity of the South Pole. This revelation has profound implications for our understanding of lunar formation and geochemistry.
The rover's sophisticated instruments detected an array of elements on the Moon's surface, including aluminium, silicon, calcium, and iron. The identification of sulphur and other elements on the lunar surface adds depth to our understanding of lunar geochemistry, complementing and expanding upon data gathered from the historic Apollo missions.
Despite a lunar day that commenced on August 22, Chandrayaan-3 achieved a remarkable feat by traversing over 100 meters of lunar terrain in just ten days.
The lower electron density discovered in the Moon's ionosphere offers a distinct advantage, facilitating faster transmission of radio signals—a critical factor for future lunar settlements and communication systems.
Chandrayaan-3's temperature readings challenge previously established data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, presenting fresh perspectives on the dynamics of lunar soil temperatures.
The detection of minor moonquake activity offers critical insights into the Moon's geological mechanisms, including the impact of celestial bodies and localised tectonic adjustments.
On the 12th day of the mission, Chandrayaan-3’s project director P Veeramuthuvel told the media that he is hoping for a successful restart for another set of assignments. In case the module fails to restart, Veeramuthuvel said that it will stay on Moon as India’s Lunar ambassador.