ChaSTE on Chandrayaan-3: First Lunar South Pole Temperature Probe
Why in the news
The Chandrayaan-3 experiment ChaSTE was highlighted as a scientific first, outperforming earlier thermal probes sent to a comet and Mars.
Key facts
- Full name: Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment.
- Deployed: 23 August 2023; ran until 2 September 2023.
- Design: motor-turned probe with 10 sensors, 1 cm apart; depth up to 10 cm.
- Result: lunar water ice appears more widespread than thought earlier.
Comparison with earlier probes
| Mission | Target | Instrument | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESA Philae (2014) | Comet 67P | MUPUS | Could not deploy after awkward landing |
| NASA InSight (2018) | Mars | HP3 | Too little soil friction |
| ISRO Chandrayaan-3 (2023) | Moon | ChaSTE | Full data returned |
Exam angle
- Related terms: in-situ measurement, MUPUS, HP3.