Vikram kicked up 2 tonnes of lunar dust, say scientists

Vikram kicked up 2 tonnes of lunar dust, say scientists

Subject : Science and Tech

SECTION: Space technology

Context:

• Chandrayaan­3’s lander module, Vikram, had generated an “ejecta halo” on the lunar surface while making the historic touchdown on the south pole of the moon on August 23.
• According to a new study, Vikram raised lunar dust and generated a bright patch around itself when it landed on the moon.

About Chandrayaan 3:

• Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission and second attempt at achieving a soft landing on the moon’s surface.
• The mission took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) in Sriharikota on July 14, 2023, at 2:35 pm.
• It consists of an indigenous Lander module (LM), Propulsion module (PM) and a Rover with an objective of developing and demonstrating new technologies required for Inter planetary missions.

What are the Intended Actions for Chandrayaan-3 after its Landing?

• Chandrayaan-3 is expected to operate for at least one lunar day (14 Earth days) on the lunar surface.
• The Pragyan rover will move around the landing site within a radius of 500 meters, conducting experiments and sending data and images to the lander.
• The Vikram lander will relay the data and images to the orbiter, which will then transmit them to Earth.
• Lander and Rover modules are collectively equipped with advanced scientific payloads.
• These instruments are designed to conduct comprehensive investigations into diverse facets of lunar characteristics, encompassing terrain analysis, mineralogical composition, surface chemistry, atmospheric attributes, and crucially, the exploration for water and potential resource reservoirs.
• The propulsion module that carried the lander and rover configuration till 100 km lunar orbit also has a Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload to study the spectral and Polari metric measurements of Earth from the lunar orbit.