Chandrayaan-3 CHASTE Makes History as First Thermal Probe on a Celestial Body
Why it is in the News:
India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a major scientific milestone as its CHASTE instrument became the first successful thermal probe to record temperature variations beneath the surface of a celestial body — the Moon.
Important Key Points:
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Historic Achievement:
The CHASTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) is the first device to measure subsurface lunar temperatures with high precision. -
First of its Kind:
This marks the first successful thermal probe operation on any celestial body, including the Moon. -
Detailed Moon Insights:
CHASTE collected vital data on how heat travels through the Moon’s surface and subsurface, helping scientists better understand lunar soil (regolith) properties. -
Role of Chandrayaan-3:
India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission continues to add significant value to global space research with advanced experiments like CHASTE. -
Boost for Future Missions:
These findings are important for future Moon missions, space station setups, and habitat planning on the lunar surface.