Images from Chandrayaan-1 indicate rusting on Moon’s surface
07 Sep 2020
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Images sent by Chandratan-1, the Indian Space Research Organisation’s maiden mission to the Moon show that the Earth’s satellite may be rusting along the poles, indicating signs of the presence of water, union minister of state for development of North Eastern Region, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and MoS Space, Jitendra Singh has said.
Even though the surface of the Moon is known to have iron-rich rocks, it is not known for the presence of water and oxygen, which are the two elements needed to interact with iron to create rust, he said, adding that this could then be due to the impact of Earth’s atmosphere.
Scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) also are of the view that this could be because the Earth's own atmosphere is lending a helping hand which, in other words, means that the Earth's atmosphere could be protecting the Moon as well.
The Chandrayaan-1 Moon data also indicates that the Moon's poles are home to water and this is what the scientists are trying to decipher, he said.
Jitendra Singh said, as for Chandrayaan-3 is concerned, the launch may now take place somewhere in early 2021. Chandrayaan-3 will be a mission repeat of Chandrayaan-2 and will include a Lander and Rover similar to that of Chandrayaan-2, but will not have an orbiter.
Meanwhile, preparations are going on for India’s first ever manned space mission Gaganyaan, and training and other procedures are in place, said Singh.
Constraints due to Covid pandemic led to some disruptions in the plan for Gaganyaan but efforts are going on to stick to the timeline of around 2022, he said.
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