Chandrayaan-3 mission: Pragyan rover finds sulphur on Moon’s south pole region, hunt on for hydrogen – Science News
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, conducted by ISRO, has marked a significant achievement by detecting the presence of sulphur on the Moon’s south pole. This groundbreaking discovery was made through the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument onboard the mission’s rover, Pragyan. The measurements were conducted in situ, providing conclusive evidence of sulphur’s existence, a feat not attainable with orbiting instruments.
The ISRO statement elaborates on the findings, revealing the presence of other elements like aluminum, calcium, iron, chromium, and titanium on the lunar surface. Further analysis has unveiled the existence of manganese, silicon, and oxygen as well. The agency is actively investigating the potential presence of hydrogen on the Moon.
The success of this mission becomes particularly significant in the context of recent lunar exploration endeavors. India accomplished a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole, joining the ranks of Russia, the US, and China. This achievement came shortly after Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft experienced a crash due to an engine failure during an attempted landing.
ISRO’s Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, with a mission span of one lunar day, continue to contribute valuable data from the lunar surface. This achievement underscores India’s growing role in space exploration and its ability to conduct complex missions with innovative technology.
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