Image Source: https://www.gktoday.in/chandrayaan-3-detects-historic-250-seismic-signatures-on-moon/
India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has made an amazing discovery on the Moon that could potentially redefine how we consider its geology. While the mission was primarily aimed at examining the lunar south pole, it has unexpectedly detected evidence of seismic activity hiding below the surface. This thrilling finding upsets the long-standing assumption that the Moon has remained geologically quiescent over millions of years and may lay the groundwork for innovative research into lunar tectonics as well as future possibilities for colonizing the Moon.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), took off on July 14, 2023, and made a historic landing on the Moon’s south pole on August 23, 2023. With this remarkable feat, India became the first nation to touch down in this intriguing area, which is thought to be abundant in water ice. The mission is an extension of the pioneering work done by Chandrayaan-1 (2008), which detected traces of water on the Moon, and Chandrayaan-2 (2019), which attempted a soft landing but faced some technical setbacks.
Among the highlights of Chandrayaan-3 is the Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA), which has been specifically designed to monitor moonquakes and vibrations occurring on the Moon’s surface. When scientists anticipated some temporary disturbances due to meteorite impacts, they were not prepared for the finding of deep seismic activity, which was suggestive of an active core on the Moon. From 1969 to 1972, the Apollo missions discovered four classes of moonquakes—deep quakes, shallow quakes, thermal quakes, and impact quakes. Scientists at that time believed these quakes were primarily caused by thermal expansion and contraction, rather than any internal activity. But the results from Chandrayaan-3 reveal the thrilling possibility of lunar tectonic activity, something that has not been seen since the seismic data gathered during the Apollo missions.
This revelation opens a new series of questions regarding the Moon’s geology. Is its core still active? Do secret fault lines or underground lava tubes lie in wait to be discovered? And how could these moonquakes affect future lunar bases and human colonization plans? These discoveries put a new twist on lunar science, indicating that the Moon is a much more dynamic place than we ever knew.
India’s space mission has been influenced by a sequence of national policies and important events that have culminated in the success of Chandrayaan-3. The founding of ISRO in 1969 by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was a turning point for India’s ambitious space odyssey. Sarabhai had envisioned applying space technology for development, not military applications, which actually distinguished India from other countries exploring space. The achievement of Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 was a significant milestone in Indian lunar exploration. Its finding of water molecules on the Moon revolutionized lunar science and was instrumental in NASA’s Artemis mission. Despite Chandrayaan-2 in 2019 experiencing certain setbacks, it still gained insight into lunar soft landings, further building on ISRO’s skills.
The Indian Space Policy 2023 has been a game-changer in opening up the possibility for private enterprises to become engaged in space missions. It has also shone a light on deep space exploration and entering into partnerships with global agencies, which has really accelerated the technology behind Chandrayaan-3. Add to that India’s cooperation with nations such as Russia in the area of early rocket technology, NASA for data collaboration, and France in space navigation systems that has played a significant part in the achievements we observe with Chandrayaan-3. And let us not overlook India’s participation in the Artemis Accords back in 2021, all about peacefully exploring space, that has surely aided in building up its lunar aspirations.
The recent detection of seismic activity on the Moon is a doorway to a whole new world of possibilities. If the Moon is still causing ripples tectonically, it means that its interior could be warmer and more dynamic than we previously thought. This knowledge could be a game-changer for scientists attempting to put together how planets form and evolve throughout time. With countries such as the USA and China preparing to set up permanent bases on the Moon, controlling moonquakes becomes a necessity for constructing stable and secure buildings. And if there are lava tubes beneath the surface, they might serve as natural shelters for astronauts. With this discovery in mind, space agencies might intensify missions focused on mapping the Moon’s underlying layers using radar mapping and seismic surveys. The success of Chandrayaan-3 truly positions India as a major space exploration player. With thrilling missions pending, such as Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight, and Chandrayaan-4, ISRO is poised to be an even greater player on the world stage of space exploration.
Chandrayaan-3’s unexpected discovery of seismic activity on the Moon is a game-changer for Moon exploration. It upends our traditional assumptions about the geology of the Moon and opens up avenues for subsequent research and even habitation in the future. Due to the rapid advancements by ISRO and the changing space policy of India, this mission not only enlarged our scientific base but also exemplified India’s capabilities in advanced space exploration. As scientists dig deeper into the data, we might soon uncover answers to some of the Moon’s most intriguing mysteries.
Written by Ratisha Khare
