Chandrayaan-3 ChaSTE Data Hints at Wider Moon Water Ice
Why in the news
As the US, China, Russia and India plan long-stay lunar stations, water on the Moon has become a crucial resource, and a new study of Chandrayaan-3 data suggests more of it may be reachable.
Key facts
- Lunar water can serve astronauts for drinking and hygiene and may be turned into rocket fuel for launches from the Moon.
- Scientists at PRL, Ahmedabad used ground-level observations from the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander, which landed in August 2023.
- Instrument: ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment), with 10 platinum resistance temperature detector (RTD) sensors.
- Site: Shiv Shakti Point, 69.373° south, 32.319° east, near the lunar south pole.
| Observation | Result |
|---|---|
| Highest lunar-day temperature | 82ºC |
| Variation over a metre | Sun-facing slope was far hotter than flat ground one metre away |
| Slopes facing away from the Sun (over 14°) | Stayed cold; possible routes for water ice to migrate and stabilise below the surface |
Significance
- First in-situ temperature measurement at a high latitude of the Moon.
- Supports the idea that water ice is not confined to the poles, making extraction easier.
- Near-term exploration there may be technically less demanding than at the poles, aiding future missions and possible settlements.
Next steps
- Model the moon’s thermophysical properties and ice stability at representative sites.
- Guide future exploration strategy and lunar infrastructure.
Exam angle
- Instrument: ChaSTE; landing point name: Shiv Shakti Point.
- Lander: Vikram (August 2023); institute: PRL, Ahmedabad.