Shillong, August 28: India’s Chandrayaan-3, recently landing on the Moon, is actively conducting experiments. The Vikram lander has successfully drilled into the lunar surface, relaying valuable data back to Isro headquarters.
As per India Today, a pivotal aspect of this mission is the Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) aboard the Vikram Lander.
Isro has shared the initial findings from the ChaSTE payload, showcasing temperature variations at different depths on the lunar surface. This data, a first for the lunar south pole, represents a significant accomplishment in lunar exploration.
ChaSTE’s purpose is to gauge the temperature profile of the lunar topsoil, providing essential insights into the moon’s thermal behavior. The payload is equipped with a controlled penetration mechanism, reaching up to 10 cm beneath the surface, and incorporates 10 temperature sensors for precise readings.
The ChaSTE payload was developed by a collaboration between the Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad. The temperature data revealed a decline in temperature with increasing depth, reaching as low as -10 degrees centigrade at 8 cm. Moving towards the surface, the temperature gradually rose, leveling off around 50-60 degrees centigrade above the surface.