The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has taken to Twitter to share a remarkable update on its Chandrayaan-3 mission, shedding light on the ongoing in-situ scientific experiments. This venture aims to uncover hidden lunar secrets and expand our understanding of the Moon’s composition and characteristics.
In the tweet, ISRO’s announcement highlights a breakthrough discovery made by the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument onboard the rover. The instrument has achieved a significant feat by unequivocally confirming the presence of sulfur (S) on the lunar surface near the southern pole. This groundbreaking revelation has been made possible through pioneering in-situ measurements, marking a significant advancement in lunar exploration technology.
“The tweet further reveals that the LIBS instrument has also successfully detected various other elements, including aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O). These findings align with scientific expectations and contribute to our understanding of the Moon’s elemental composition”.
The mission’s pursuit doesn’t stop there. ISRO’s tweet emphasizes that the search for hydrogen (H) is still underway, showcasing the mission’s dedication to thorough and comprehensive lunar exploration.
“It’s noteworthy that the LIBS instrument, central to these discoveries, has been developed at the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS), an integral part of ISRO located in Bengaluru. This underscores India’s capabilities in cutting-edge technology and space research”.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission’s progress exemplifies ISRO’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and scientific discovery. By conducting in-situ experiments and employing state-of-the-art instruments like LIBS, the mission is actively contributing to expanding our knowledge of the Moon and unraveling its mysteries.
