Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE), a payload on ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, has achieved a major milestone by conducting the first-ever in-situ temperature measurement of the Moon’s surface down to 10 cm depth at high southern latitudes.
Key Highlights:
- First-of-its-kind Lunar Temperature Measurement:
- Unlike Apollo 15 and 17, which measured temperatures at greater depths, ChaSTE focused on a shallow subsurface study, confirming the prevalence of water ice.
- It successfully penetrated the lunar soil, a feat previous missions failed to achieve.
- Operational Success at the Shiv Shakti Point:
- Deployed after Vikram lander’s soft landing, it operated for 10 Earth days (Aug 24 – Sept 2, 2023).
- Data collection occurred every second during lunar daylight hours (8 AM – 4 PM Moon local time).
- Scientific Collaboration & Development:
- Developed by Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) and Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, with support from:
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram
- Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad
- Developed by Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) and Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, with support from:
Why It Matters?
🔹 Provides crucial thermal data for future lunar missions.
🔹 Supports research on water ice deposits on the Moon.
🔹 Advances lunar exploration technology, aiding future human and robotic missions.
(Source: ISRO)
