Chandrayaan-3: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday shared the first observation of the south pole’s lunar surface done by ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) payload onboard Vikram lander.
In a Post on X, ISRO said, “ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) measures the temperature profile of the lunar topsoil around the pole, to understand the thermal behavior of the moon’s surface.”
It has a temperature probe equipped with a controlled penetration mechanism capable of reaching a depth of 10 cm beneath the surface. The probe is fitted with 10 individual temperature sensors, said ISRO.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
Here are the first observations from the ChaSTE payload onboard Vikram Lander.ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) measures the temperature profile of the lunar topsoil around the pole, to understand the thermal behaviour of the moon’s… pic.twitter.com/VZ1cjWHTnd
— ISRO (@isro) August 27, 2023
The presented graph illustrates the temperature variations of the lunar surface/near-surface at various depths, as recorded during the probe’s penetration. This is the first such profile for the lunar south pole. Detailed observations are underway.
Earlier today, ISRO Chairman S Somanath informed that the lander and rover of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft are healthy and all five instruments of the spacecraft are working well. They all have been working well.
The ISRO chief further said that all experiments shall be completed before September 3.
India scripted history after its space shuttle Chandrayaan-3 landed successfully on the Moon’s South Pole on August 23. Since then, the space organization has been sharing the details about the mission every day.