ISRO releases graph of temperature variation on lunar surface measured by Chandrayaan-3’s payload

BENGALURU, Aug 27: ISRO on Sunday released a graph of the temperature variation on lunar
surface with increase in depth measured by the ChaSTE payload onboard Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram
lander module.
According to the space agency, Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) measured
the temperature profile of the lunar topsoil around the south pole, to understand the thermal
behaviour of the Moon’s surface.
“Here are the first observations from the ChaSTE payload onboard Vikram Lander. ChaSTE measures
the temperature profile of the lunar topsoil around the pole, to understand the thermal behaviour
of the moon’s surface,” ISRO said in an update on ‘X’, formerly Twitter.
The payload has a temperature probe equipped with a controlled penetration mechanism capable of
reaching a depth of 10 cm beneath the surface.
“The probe is fitted with 10 individual temperature sensors. The presented graph illustrates the
temperature variations of the lunar surface/near-surface at various depths, as recorded during the
probe’s penetration. This is the first such profile for the lunar south pole. Detailed observations are
underway,” it said.
The payload was developed by a team led by the Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) of ISRO’s Vikram
Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in collaboration with Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.
India on Wednesday scripted history as ISRO’s ambitious third Moon mission Chandrayaan-3’s
Lander Module (LM) touched down on the lunar surface, making it only the fourth country to
accomplish the feat, and first to reach the uncharted south pole of Earth’s only natural satellite. (PTI)