The presence of oxygen has also been detected and the hunt for hydrogen has begun.
New Delhi:
The first-ever on-site measurements of the moon’s south polar region have confirmed the presence of sulfur on Earth’s only natural satellite, ISRO said today.
The measurements were performed by the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument aboard the Chandrayaan-3 rover, Pragyan.
The space agency said the in-situ measurements “unambiguously” confirmed the presence of sulfur in the region, which was not achievable using the orbiters’ instruments.
The presence of oxygen, calcium and iron has also been detected and the hunt for hydrogen has begun.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
In-situ science experiments continue……
The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument on board the Rover unequivocally confirms the presence of sulfur (S) on the lunar surface near the South Pole, through first-ever in-situ measurements. pic.twitter.com/vDQmByWcSL
— ISRO (@isro) August 29, 2023
Preliminary analyses, shown graphically, have revealed the presence of aluminum (Al), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr) and titanium (Ti) on the lunar surface. Further measurements have occurred revealed the presence of manganese (Mn), silicon (Si) and oxygen (O). Thorough investigations are underway for the presence of hydrogen,” an ISRO statement said.
LIBS took measurements of the elemental composition of the lunar surface. It performed the analysis by exposing the materials to intense laser pulses.
The agency had said yesterday that the rover had been safely diverted after encountering a four-metre-high crater on the lunar surface. The crater was noticed three meters from the rim.
India had made history on August 23 by becoming the first country to make a soft landing near the south pole of the moon. It had also joined an elite club of countries – Russia, the US and China – that had successfully landed on the lunar surface.
ISRO’s success came days after the Russian Luna-25 spacecraft crashed on the lunar surface following an engine failure. Russia also planned to land near the south pole of the moon.
The Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover have a mission duration of 1 Monday, which is equivalent to 14 days on Earth.
