ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment)

Source: TH

Context: ChaSTE became the first instrument ever to successfully penetrate and measure temperature beneath the surface of any celestial body, providing valuable thermal data from the Moon’s south pole during the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

About ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment):

• What is ChaSTE?

• An indigenous thermal probe onboard Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander. Developed by Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad and Space Physics Laboratory (SPL), VSSC, Trivandrum. It performs in-situ measurement of temperature and thermal conductivity of lunar soil.

• An indigenous thermal probe onboard Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander.

• Developed by Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad and Space Physics Laboratory (SPL), VSSC, Trivandrum.

• It performs in-situ measurement of temperature and thermal conductivity of lunar soil.

• How Does It Work?

• Rotary deployment mechanism pushes a probe with 10 sensors into the lunar surface. Measures temperature variations at 1 cm intervals up to 10 cm depth. Uses motor torque and resistance feedback to determine penetration depth. Operated from August 23 to September 2, 2023, on Moon’s south pole.

• Rotary deployment mechanism pushes a probe with 10 sensors into the lunar surface.

• Measures temperature variations at 1 cm intervals up to 10 cm depth.

• Uses motor torque and resistance feedback to determine penetration depth.

• Operated from August 23 to September 2, 2023, on Moon’s south pole.

• Aim of ChaSTE:

• Determine vertical temperature gradient on the Moon. Assess thermophysical properties of lunar regolith at high-latitude regions. Support detection of water ice and sub-surface composition.

• Determine vertical temperature gradient on the Moon.

• Assess thermophysical properties of lunar regolith at high-latitude regions.

• Support detection of water ice and sub-surface composition.

• Key Features:

• First-of-its-kind rotary-based deployment (unlike hammering used by earlier failed missions). First mission to successfully deploy thermal probe on another celestial body. Provides crucial data for future lunar missions and ISRO’s Artemis collaboration goals. Helps assess suitability of lunar polar regions for potential human settlement.

• First-of-its-kind rotary-based deployment (unlike hammering used by earlier failed missions).

• First mission to successfully deploy thermal probe on another celestial body.

• Provides crucial data for future lunar missions and ISRO’s Artemis collaboration goals.

• Helps assess suitability of lunar polar regions for potential human settlement.

• Timeline & Background:

• Flight model ready in 2017 (for Chandrayaan-2, later adapted for Chandrayaan-3). Part of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3, launched July 14, 2023, landed August 23, 2023.

• Flight model ready in 2017 (for Chandrayaan-2, later adapted for Chandrayaan-3).

• Part of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3, launched July 14, 2023, landed August 23, 2023.