New Delhi: In a significant achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Thursday that the RAMBHA-LP payload, integrated into the lander module Vikram of the Chandrayaan-3 mission stationed on the lunar surface, has successfully conducted pioneering measurements of the near-surface plasma composition around the southern polar area.
Taking to social media platform X, ISRO said, “Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive lonosphere and Atmosphere-Langmuir Probe (RAMBHA-LP) payload onboard Chandrayaan-3 Lander has made first-ever measurements of the near-surface Lunar plasma environment over the South Polar Region.”
“The initial assessment indicates that the plasma near the lunar surface is relatively sparse, ISRO wrote on X.
The Langmuir probe, named after Irving Langmuir, functions as a device for characterizing plasma. The probe consists of a metallic spherical component with a diameter of 5 cm, positioned on a 1-meter extension arm affixed to the upper section of the Chandrayaan-3 Lander. Following the lander’s touchdown on the lunar surface, the probe is deployed through a controlled release mechanism. The extensive length of the arm ensures that the spherical probe operates within an undisturbed lunar plasma environment, detached from any interference by the lander’s structure.
The ongoing observations carry substantial implications for understanding the charging processes within the lunar near-surface region, particularly in response to fluctuations in solar space weather conditions. These quantitative measurements have the potential to aid in reducing interference caused by Lunar plasma in radio wave communications. Additionally, they could contribute to the refinement of future lunar exploration missions’ designs, as highlighted by ISRO.
The development of RAMBHA-LP was led by the Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. On August 23, India achieved a remarkable feat as the Chandrayaan-3 lander module successfully executed a soft landing on the Moon’s South Pole, solidifying its position as the first nation to accomplish this historic achievement. With this accomplishment, India joined the ranks of the United States, China, and Russia as the only countries to successfully deploy a lander on the lunar surface.
Comments