Chandrayaan 3 Discovered Oxygen on the Moon’s surface

*During its mission, Pragyan rover discovered Oxygen and Sulphur on the Moon’s surface.

*The CHaSTE instrument measured the temperature of the Moon’s topsoil, revealing significant temperature variations in a short depth.

*The LIBS instrument confirmed the presence of Sulphur on the Moon, marking the first in-situ measurement of this element on the lunar surface.

*Oxygen was found in the Moon’s rocks and soil, with potential applications for future lunar base missions, including oxygen extraction.

On August 23, 2023, history was made as India’s Chandrayaan 3 mission achieved an extraordinary feat – landing successfully on the enigmatic lunar surface, specifically at the Moon’s South Pole. This remarkable accomplishment garnered global attention and applause.

Amidst the celebration, Chandrayaan 3 discovered the presence of oxygen and sulphur on the Moon. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve deep into the significance and implications of these groundbreaking findings from Chandrayaan 3’s mission.

The Unveiling of Oxygen on the Moon:

Perhaps the most astonishing revelation from Chandrayaan 3’s mission was the presence of oxygen on the lunar surface. This discovery defied conventional wisdom about the Moon’s environment, which lacks a breathable atmosphere. However, the oxygen detected by Chandrayaan 3 is not in the form of O2 gas found in Earth’s atmosphere but rather bound within chemical compounds within the lunar soil and rocks.

Specifically, oxygen atoms exist in bonds with other elements, primarily in silicate minerals formed from silicon and oxygen atoms. While this oxygen may not be available as a breathable gas, its presence in the lunar regolith holds immense promise for future lunar missions.

One potential application is the extraction of lunar oxygen for life support systems, such as providing breathable air for astronauts. Establishing a permanent lunar base becomes more feasible when we can harness local resources, like oxygen, for sustaining human life. NASA had already made strides in this direction, successfully extracting oxygen from lunar soil simulants, paving the way for future lunar habitation.

Moreover, the quantity of oxygen present in the Moon’s topsoil is staggering. Some estimates suggest that the oxygen content in the lunar regolith could sustain 8 billion people for an astonishing 100,000 years. This remarkable resource could be a game-changer for future lunar colonization and missions beyond.

Astonishing Discovery Sulphur on the Moon:

One of the most noteworthy findings stemming from LIBS was the confirmation of sulphur’s presence on the Moon’s South Pole. While previous missions like Apollo and Luna had hinted at the possibility of sulphur on the lunar surface, Chandrayaan 3’s LIBS instrument provided the first definitive proof.

Sulphur’s existence on the Moon has significant scientific implications. It not only deepens our understanding of lunar geology but also presents opportunities for future lunar missions. Sulphur, a versatile element, could potentially be exploited for various purposes, including energy generation and resource utilization.

This discovery underscored the exceptional capabilities of Chandrayaan 3’s instrumentation and the scientific prowess of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) scientists and engineers. It was a testament to the power of in-situ measurements, providing more accurate and reliable data than remote observations from orbiting spacecraft.

Major Instruments of Chandrayaan 3:

Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (CHaSTE):

One of the scientific instruments aboard Chandrayaan 3’s Vikram Lander was CHaSTE, short for Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment. This instrument was designed to address a fundamental question – what are the temperature conditions like on the Moon’s South Pole? To answer this, CHaSTE carried a temperature probe equipped with ten sensors, capable of measuring the temperature of the lunar topsoil.

What CHaSTE discovered was nothing short of astonishing. It revealed rapid temperature variations within the lunar soil, particularly in the top few centimeters. In just one centimeter below the lunar surface, the temperature exhibited a dramatic shift of 10 degrees Celsius. Surface temperatures at the landing site hovered around 60 degrees Celsius, but a mere 8 centimeters beneath the surface, the temperature plummeted to a bone-chilling -10 degrees Celsius.

This revelation painted a dynamic picture of the lunar environment, where temperature conditions could change drastically over short distances. Such insights are invaluable for planning future lunar missions, especially those involving human presence, as they shed light on the challenges astronauts might face while exploring and working on the Moon’s surface.

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS):

Another critical instrument onboard Chandrayaan 3’s Pragyan rover was the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Developed in collaboration with Bangalore’s Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems, LIBS had a specific mission – to analyze the lunar soil’s composition.

The way LIBS operated was both fascinating and groundbreaking. It utilized high-energy laser pulses to strike the lunar soil, raising its temperature significantly. When exposed to this high temperature, the soil transformed into plasma, the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid, and gas. What’s unique about plasma is that it emits light, and this emitted light contains distinct wavelengths that correspond to different elements present in the soil.

By meticulously measuring these wavelengths of light, LIBS could effectively identify the elements within the lunar soil. The instrument essentially “broke down” the lunar material with laser-induced heat, allowing scientists to conduct spectroscopic analysis and determine the soil’s elemental composition.

Contrary to previous lunar missions, where ground-based instruments provided data, Chandrayaan 3’s LIBS represented a first-ever in-situ measurement of elements on the Moon’s surface. This level of precision and direct measurement was a quantum leap in lunar exploration.

Summary or Conclusion of Chadrayaan 3 Mission:

Chandrayaan 3’s discoveries are super important for exploring the Moon and space in the future. Unlike previous missions, this one used really fancy tools to learn new things about the Moon. First, they found stuff like sulphur and oxygen on the Moon’s surface. This helps us know more about how the Moon formed and changed over time. It could also help us figure out how to explore the Moon better and use its resources.

Second, Chandrayaan 3 did something cool by measuring things right there on the Moon. This is a big deal for future missions. It means we can collect data and learn things in real-time while we’re on the Moon. Third, they found oxygen on the Moon, which is a big deal. It might help us build bases on the Moon and stay there longer. This is part of a bigger plan to explore space and maybe even go to Mars someday.