Big Discovery | Oxygen on Moon!

Introduction:

Greetings, fellow space enthusiasts! In a groundbreaking achievement, India, through its Chandrayaan 3 mission, accomplished what no other country had done before—successfully landing on the South Pole of the Moon. While the world celebrated this historic feat, the mission's Pragyan rover made astonishing discoveries that have garnered surprisingly little attention. In today's extensive article, we'll delve deeper into the intriguing findings of Chandrayaan 3, exploring the lunar landscape, uncovering the mysteries that lie beneath, and pondering the implications of these revelations on the future of lunar exploration.

Chandrayaan 3's Momentous Landing:

On August 23, 2023, Chandrayaan 3 made history with its successful touchdown on the lunar surface. The following day, the Vikram Lander deployed the Pragyan rover, setting the stage for a mission filled with scientific revelations. ISRO kept the world informed through regular Twitter updates, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lunar exploration.

Unveiling the Lunar Landscape:

From August 24 to September 4, Vikram and Pragyan engaged in a twelve-day observational mission on the Moon. During this period, observations and experiments were conducted to understand the Moon's surface and its peculiarities. These valuable insights were crucial in expanding our knowledge of Earth's celestial neighbor.

Temperature Anomalies at the South Pole:

One of the most surprising discoveries came from the CHaSTE instrument on Vikram Lander, tasked with conducting the Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment. This instrument measured the temperature of the lunar topsoil, revealing unprecedented variations. The temperature gradient from the surface to 8 cm below was staggering, with changes of up to 70° Celsius. Such drastic fluctuations hint at the Moon's complex thermal dynamics.

Navigating Lunar Terrain:

ISRO shared captivating images of the Pragyan rover maneuvering near a sizable crater on the Moon. The mission faced a hurdle as Pragyan approached a 4-meter crater, prompting a change in its course to avoid a potential mishap. The rover's tracks imprinted on the lunar soil tell a story of scientific caution and strategic navigation.

LIBS Confirms Sulphur Presence:

The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument, a payload on Pragyan, achieved a significant milestone on August 28. Confirming the presence of sulphur on the Moon's South Pole, this marked the first-ever in-situ measurement of the element at this location. Developed in collaboration with Bangalore's Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems, LIBS employs laser-induced breakdown to analyze lunar soil and rocks, offering valuable insights into the Moon's composition.

Oxygen: The Lunar Surprise:

Intriguingly, the LIBS instrument also confirmed the presence of oxygen in the Moon's soil. While not in the form of atmospheric oxygen, the discovery holds promise for future lunar exploration. With advancements in technology, the extraction of lunar oxygen becomes a potential resource for sustaining human presence on the Moon.

Advanced Technologies at Play:

Chandrayaan 3's success in these groundbreaking discoveries can be attributed to the advanced technologies employed, such as the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and Radio Anatomy of Moon-bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA). These instruments, working in tandem, provided a comprehensive understanding of the Moon's surface and atmospheric conditions.

Hop Experiment and Lunar Night Preparations:

On September 3, 2023, Vikram Lander conducted a hop experiment, lifting itself about 40 cm above the lunar surface before settling back down. This experiment served as a crucial test for potential future missions involving human astronauts. Subsequently, on September 4, both Pragyan and Vikram were strategically put into sleep mode by ISRO to prepare for the impending lunar night. This precautionary measure aims to ensure the modules' proper shutdown during the extended period of darkness.

Hope for the Future:

While initially planned for a single lunar day (equivalent to 14 Earth days), there is renewed optimism that both Pragyan and Vikram could awaken when the lunar day begins again at the South Pole. Similar instances have occurred in previous lunar missions, providing hope for extended scientific exploration.

The Significance of Pragyan and Vikram's Discoveries:

The discoveries made by the Pragyan rover and Vikram Lander during their twelve-day exploration of the lunar surface have far-reaching implications for our understanding of the Moon and its potential as a future resource. The drastic temperature variations observed by CHaSTE hint at a dynamic lunar environment with complex thermophysical characteristics.

The successful navigation of Pragyan around a substantial lunar crater showcased the precision of ISRO's mission planning and the adaptability of the rover's autonomous navigation system. These images not only provide a visual record of the lunar terrain but also highlight the challenges and triumphs of exploration in a previously uncharted region.

LIBS, with its Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, achieved a groundbreaking feat by confirming the presence of sulphur on the Moon's South Pole. This in-situ measurement holds immense scientific value, surpassing earlier methods that relied on remote sensing from orbiters. The collaboration with Bangalore's Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems underlines the importance of international partnerships in advancing lunar research.

Oxygen's presence in the Moon's soil, as revealed by LIBS, opens up exciting possibilities for future lunar missions. While not in the form of atmospheric oxygen, the presence of oxygen atoms bonded with other elements in lunar rocks presents an opportunity for resource utilization. The extraction of oxygen from the Moon's soil, as demonstrated by NASA's earlier research, could become a key component in sustaining future human presence on the Moon.

The synergy of advanced technologies, such as APXS and RAMBHA, showcased India's engineering prowess in the field of space exploration. The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer's role in studying lunar rocks and soil, along with RAMBHA's analysis of lunar plasma, contributed valuable data to the mission's scientific objectives. These technologies, developed through meticulous engineering, played a pivotal role in Chandrayaan 3's success.

The hop experiment conducted by Vikram Lander demonstrated the feasibility of controlled mobility on the lunar surface. This capability is crucial for future lunar missions involving human astronauts, allowing for strategic movement and adaptability to the ever-changing lunar landscape. The decision to put Pragyan and Vikram into sleep mode, preparing for the lunar night, reflects ISRO's commitment to the long-term success of the mission.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Lunar Exploration:

As we await the outcome of Pragyan and Vikram's potential reactivation during the next lunar day, it's essential to consider the broader implications of Chandrayaan 3's discoveries for the future of lunar exploration. The success of this mission has demonstrated the feasibility of targeted exploration of the Moon's South Pole, a region that holds unique scientific value.

The findings related to lunar temperature, surface composition, and seismic activity provide a wealth of information for future mission planning. Understanding the intricacies of the lunar environment is crucial for the design of sustainable habitats and infrastructure for potential human settlements on the Moon. The data collected by Chandrayaan 3 contributes to the growing knowledge base that will shape the trajectory of future lunar exploration endeavors.

Chandrayaan 3 has not only advanced our understanding of the Moon but has also positioned India as a key player in the globa