INDIA: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced a fresh discovery from its Chandrayaan-3 mission. The Vikram lander, which successfully touched down on the moon’s surface on August 23, 2023, has detected “natural” seismic activity, shedding light on the dynamic nature of Earth’s closest cosmic companion.
The journey of Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar exploration mission, has been a tale of success and scientific revelations. The mission’s Pragyan rover, after its deployment from the Vikram lander, embarked on an unprecedented journey of exploration and study.
An initial breakthrough came when the rover identified the presence of crucial elements such as sulphur and oxygen in the moon’s southern pole region. This finding holds immense potential to revolutionize our understanding of lunar composition and evolution.
However, the most recent revelation, as shared by ISRO via social media, has garnered global attention. According to ISRO’s statement, the Vikram lander’s Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA), equipped with Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology-based instruments, successfully recorded a natural seismic event on August 26, 2023. This marks the first-ever instance of such technology being utilized on the lunar surface.
The ILSA payload, a result of collaboration between ISRO and private industries, was developed and designed at the LEOS facility in Bangalore. The payload’s pioneering cluster of six accelerometers, known for their exceptional sensitivity, were manufactured using the silicon micromachining process.
The accelerometers, each featuring a spring-mass system with comb-structured electrodes, responded to external vibrations by registering minute bending motions in the spring.
While the seismic event’s occurrence is confirmed, the exact source behind it remains under investigation. This development signifies a significant stride in lunar exploration, as scientists and researchers eagerly anticipate unraveling the secrets concealed beneath the moon’s surface. The seismic activity sheds light on the moon’s dynamic nature, once assumed to be relatively dormant.
Despite these groundbreaking achievements, Chandrayaan-3 faces its own set of challenges. As the sun sets over the lunar landscape, the rover and lander must brace for the lunar night’s harsh conditions.
With temperatures plummeting to below -200 degrees Celsius during this period, there is uncertainty surrounding the continued functionality of the Pragyan rover and the Vikram lander. The next 14 days will undoubtedly test the resilience of ISRO’s technological prowess and engineering ingenuity.
The revelation of natural seismic activity and the successful utilization of advanced technology on the lunar surface signal a new era of lunar exploration.
ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission continues to captivate imaginations, inspire scientists, and bring humanity one step closer to comprehending the moon’s history and characteristics.
Also Read: ISRO Shares Video of Chandrayaan-3 Rover Ramped Down from Lander to Lunar Surface
