New Delhi, 27 Aug (HS): On the Moon's surface, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) published first observations from the ChaSTE payload onboard Vikram Lander on Sunday. Here are the initial results from the ChaSTE payload aboard the Vikram Lander. ChaSTE (Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment) measures the temperature profile of the lunar topsoil around the pole to better understand the lunar surface's thermal behavior, ISRO stated on X (previously Twitter). ChaSTE is equipped with a temperature probe equipped with a controlled penetration mechanism capable of reaching a depth of 10 cm beneath the surface, according to the space agency. The probe has ten separate temperature sensors. ISO also released a graph that depicted temperature variations of the lunar surface/near-surface at various depths.

The graph depicts the temperature variations of the lunar surface/near-surface at various depths as recorded by the probe during its penetration. This is the first time a profile of the lunar south pole has been created. Detailed observations are being conducted, ISRO added.

Hindusthan Samachar/Abhishek Awasthi