Chandrayaan 2
- Many people were disappointed when Chandrayaan-2, India’s second lunar mission, was unable to soft-land on the moon’s surface. In the last seconds, the lander and rover had a malfunction, crashed, and were completely destroyed.
- Since that setback two years ago, the Orbiter component of the project has been operating continuously, and the numerous sensors on board have gathered a plethora of new data that have enhanced our comprehension of the Moon and its surroundings.
Water Molecule:
- There is water on the moon, according to Chandrayaan-1, India’s first lunar mission that was launched in 2008.
- Before that, the NASA spacecraft Clementine and Lunar Prospector had found proof of the existence of water.
- But the Chandrayaan-1 equipment lacked the sensitivity to distinguish between signals from water molecules and hydroxyl radicals (OH) (H2O, which too has OH).
- A specific example of each was discovered by the Chandrayaan-2 imaging infrared spectrometer (IIRS), which could tell the difference between hydroxyl and water molecules. This was done with far more delicate equipment.
- The information provided here is currently the most accurate on the existence of H2O molecules on the Moon.
- It was long thought that the polar regions of the Moon contained the majority of the water on Earth. Despite the fact that its accessibility varies from location to location, Chandrayaan-2 has already discovered signs of water at every latitude.
- Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar is the first microwave imaging instrument to be able to distinguish between the characteristics of surface roughness and those of water ice, and it has reported the unmistakable detection of possible water ice at the poles.
Minor components:
- By measuring the Moon’s X-ray spectrum, the Large Area Soft X-Ray Spectrometer (CLASS) enables scientists to hunt for important elements like magnesium, aluminium, silicon, calcium, titanium, iron, etc.
- Thanks to an improved detector, this gadget has successfully detected the trace elements chromium and manganese for the first time through remote sensing.
- The discovery might offer novel insights into the evolution of the moon’s magma, planetary differentiation, and nebular circumstances.
- CLASS has now successfully mapped more than 95% of the lunar surface using X-rays.
- It was undoubtedly the first time that the trace element sodium, which is also present on the surface of the Moon, was discovered.
- The Solar X-ray Monitor (XSM), one of the payloads, has observed the Moon through the Sun’s radiation and has collected data on solar flares.
- According to ISRO, the discovery by XSM of multiple microflares outside the active zone “has tremendous consequences for the investigation of the process driving heating of the solar corona,” a long-standing outstanding question.
How is this all beneficial?
- The Orbiter payloads, which also increase our understanding of the Moon’s surface, subsurface, and exosphere, can enable future Moon missions.
- Future studies will primarily focus on four areas: mapping of the volatiles and surface constituents of the moon, characteristics and processes at the surface and below, quantification of water in various forms on the lunar surface, and maps of the elements already there.
- Exploration of the persistently dark areas, as well as the craters and boulders beneath the regolith, the loose deposit that makes up the top surface and extends down to a depth of 3 to 4 metres, have been significant results of Chandrayaan-2. This should enable scientists to locate acceptable locations for eventual human landing missions and drilling activities.
- The Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, a partnership between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Indian Space Research Organization, is one of the key upcoming Moon missions that attempts to utilise such data (ISRO). The mission’s objectives are to learn more about the moon’s water reserves and ascertain whether the lunar poles would be a suitable place for a lunar base.
- NASA’s Artemis missions should make lunar landings possible by 2024 and lunar exploration possible by 2028.
- The International Lunar Research Station prototype and a platform for considerable scientific investigation are both goals of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (ILRS).
