Recent data from ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission suggests that the moon may be more habitable to humans than previously believed.
According to Firstpost, the data collected by Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover has unveiled some intriguing findings that could pave the way for human colonization of the lunar surface.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission: The Source of Continuous Data
The Chandrayaan-3 mission has been a source of continuous data and information since the historic touchdown of the Vikram Lander on the lunar surface.
Preliminary analysis of this data indicates that the moon has greater potential for supporting life, including the establishment of a human colony, than previously thought.
One of the most significant discoveries comes from the Vikram Lander, which sent a probe approximately 10 cm below the lunar surface to measure temperatures.
Surprisingly, while the lunar surface can reach scorching temperatures of around 50°C, just 8 cm beneath the surface, temperatures plummet to a bone-chilling minus 10°C.
This revelation has profound implications. Scientists have been aware that the lunar subsurface is extremely cold due to the absence of an atmosphere on the moon to insulate heat.
The data collected by Vikram now confirms that the lunar topsoil possesses remarkable insulating properties. This attribute is of paramount importance when it comes to crafting environments on the moon that can support human life.
A mathematical demonstration was presented in a 2015 research paper titled "Determination of temperature variation on lunar surface and subsurface for habitat analysis and design," authored by researchers Ramesh B. Malla and Kevin M. Brown from the University of Connecticut.
This demonstration showcased how the outer layer of the lunar regolith offers exceptional insulation, resulting in a substantial reduction in temperature within the first 30 cm below the lunar surface.
Traditionally, the establishment of habitable lunar environments would necessitate the use of extensive insulation to combat the moon's extreme temperature fluctuations, a task fraught with logistical complexities. However, Vikram's findings hint at an alternative approach.
The revelation of a significant temperature drop just below the lunar surface provides valuable insights for engineers tasked with designing moon habitats using the regolith's low thermal conductivity.
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Pragyan Rover's Discovery
Furthermore, the Pragyan rover has identified the presence of oxygen within the lunar soil. Employing its 'Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy' (LIBS) instrument, the rover conducted a thorough analysis of the soil, revealing not only the existence of oxygen but also the presence of other elements, including sulfur, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, and aluminum.
The detection of oxygen, particularly in the form of ilmenite, introduces the exciting possibility for lunar inhabitants to generate breathable oxygen without solely relying on ice sources, which are not uniformly distributed across the lunar terrain.
Ilmenite can be effectively processed to yield breathable oxygen, according to Firstpost. The report further noted that these findings from the Chandrayaan-3 mission further bolster the concept of In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) or space resource utilization.
It underscores the increasing potential for humanity to tap into lunar resources to sustain extended lunar missions and transform our understanding of the moon's habitability, paving the way for new perspectives on our nearest celestial neighbor.
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