📷 Image Credits: NDTV
An intriguing encounter took place as India’s moon mission Chandrayaan-3’s rover, Pragyan, explored the lunar surface near its landing site. The rover traversed approximately 103 meters in a single lunar day, capturing small rock fragments distributed across the southern high-latitude landing site. These findings have implications for lunar exploration, supporting previous studies indicating the coarsening of rock fragments in the lunar regolith.
The 27-kilogram Pragyan rover, carried by the Vikram lander, was equipped with cameras and instruments to analyze the lunar soil. It identified an increase in the number and size of rock fragments towards the west of the landing site, potentially stemming from a nearby crater. Some rock fragments displayed signs of space weathering, hinting at their exposure to lunar conditions.
Recent findings, presented at a planetary conference in Ahmedabad, shed light on the formation and distribution of the encountered rock fragments, providing valuable insights into the lunar surface. Additionally, ISRO chief S Somanath disclosed plans for the next moon mission, Chandrayaan-4, aimed at bringing back a lunar sample from the ‘Shiv Shakti’ point.
Chandrayaan-3, which successfully landed near the lunar south pole in 2023, marked a historic achievement for India as the fourth country to achieve a soft lunar landing. The mission accomplished all its objectives, including safe landing, rover roving, and in-situ scientific experiments on the lunar surface. These milestones have paved the way for further lunar exploration and scientific discoveries.
With the recent findings from the Chandrayaan-3 mission, India’s presence in space exploration continues to make significant strides, positioning the country as a key player in the global space arena. The encounter and revelations by the Pragyan rover underscore the importance of continued lunar exploration efforts and the quest for deeper understanding of celestial bodies.
