Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan Rover Confirms Presence of Oxygen, Sulphur & Other Elements on Moon

Bengaluru: In a significant achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reported that the Pragyan rover’s Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) has confirmed the presence of sulphur on the lunar surface near the south pole. This marks the first-ever in-situ measurement of sulphur on the moon. The LIBS instrument was developed at the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS)/ISRO in Bengaluru.

The rover’s spectroscope has also identified other elements as expected, including Aluminium, Calcium, Ferrous (Iron), Chromium, Titanium, Manganese, Silicon, and Oxygen. Notably, the search for hydrogen is currently underway.

Chandrayaan-3 Mission:

In-situ scientific experiments continue …..

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument onboard the Rover unambiguously confirms the presence of Sulphur (S) in the lunar surface near the south pole, through first-ever in-situ measurements.… pic.twitter.com/vDQmByWcSL

— ISRO (@isro) August 29, 2023

ISRO stated that preliminary analyses showcased the presence of Aluminium (Al), Sulphur (S), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), and Titanium (Ti) on the lunar surface. Further measurements have revealed the existence of manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O). ISRO is diligently investigating the presence of hydrogen.

These developments follow the successful landing of the Chandrayaan 3’s ‘Vikram’ lander on the moon’s south pole on August 23. Subsequently, the Pragyan rover was deployed and has been actively exploring the lunar terrain.

On August 26, ISRO shared a video of the rover traversing the ‘Shiv Shakti’ Point, its landing site on the moon. The agency highlighted the rover’s pursuit of lunar secrets at the South Pole.

The Pragyan rover, on Aug 27, encountered a four-meter diameter crater located three meters ahead of its position on the lunar surface. In response, the rover was directed to retrace its path and is now safely navigating a new route.

This series of accomplishments culminated on August 23 when India made history by becoming the first country to successfully land on the moon’s South Pole.