Lunar Breakthrough: Chandrayaan-3 Rover Confirms Sulphur on Moon’s Surface

Chandrayaan-3 Breakthrough: Pragyan Rover’s Astounding Lunar Discovery Reveals Sulphur Presence and Traces of Other Elements

BENGALURU: In an unprecedented achievement, Isro announced on Tuesday that the Chandrayaan-3 rover Pragyan has performed groundbreaking ‘in-situ’ measurements within the lunar polar region. The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument, a cutting-edge scientific technology onboard, has not only definitively confirmed the existence of Sulphur (S) on the lunar surface near the southern pole but has also unveiled fascinating traces of various other elements.

LIBS operates by subjecting materials to intense laser pulses, and meticulously analyzing their composition. A potent laser pulse is precisely directed onto the surface of materials like rocks or soil, generating an exceptionally hot and localized plasma state,” Isro explained.
The resulting plasma light is then meticulously analyzed and detected using advanced devices like charge-coupled devices. Isro elaborated, “Since each element emits a distinct array of light wavelengths when in a plasma state, this technique facilitates the precise determination of the material’s elemental composition.”

Remarkably, the initial analyses, visually depicted in graphical representations, have not only established the presence of Sulphur (S), but also identified Aluminum (Al), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), and Titanium (Ti) on the lunar terrain.

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

The LIBS instrument was meticulously developed at the esteemed Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS) located in Bengaluru. As a crucial Isro division, LEOS is responsible for conceiving, fabricating, and delivering attitude sensors for an array of missions encompassing LEO, GEO, and interplanetary endeavors. LEOS also pioneers the creation and deployment of optical systems integral to remote sensing and meteorological payloads.

To recapitulate, this pioneering lunar expedition spearheaded by Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan Rover has not only validated the presence of Sulphur and a spectrum of essential elements but has also ignited a fervent quest to ascertain the potential existence of Hydrogen. Isro’s LIBS instrument, an epitome of technological ingenuity, emerges from the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS), a cornerstone of Isro’s multifaceted ventures ranging from attitude sensing to cutting-edge optical systems for diverse missions.”