https://sputniknews.in/20231124/chandrayaan-4s-big-challenge-is-transporting-moon-soil-back-to-earth-expert-5559414.html
Chandrayaan-4's Big Challenge is Transporting Moon Soil Back to Earth: Expert
Chandrayaan-4's Big Challenge is Transporting Moon Soil Back to Earth: Expert
Sputnik India
After successfully landing the rover at the moon's south pole surface, ISRO said its next objective at the lunar crater is to bring back the soil sample from the south pole, the mission will be known as Chandrayaan-4.
2023-11-24T17:11+0530
2023-11-24T17:11+0530
2023-11-24T17:11+0530
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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has set itself a new goal: to bring lunar soil samples back to Earth.The mission is expected to take place around 2030. The mission will have a heavier rover and a wider exploration zone than Chandrayaan-3.Sputnik India reached out to Dr Mohammad Naimuddin, a professor at the University of Delhi's astrophysics department, to discuss the challenges for the Chandrayaan-4 and what mystery the moon holds.The professor noted that the samples would help to understand if there is life on the Moon's surface.Challenges For Chandrayaan-4While the presence of water has been detected across the lunar surface in previous missions, most of it was thought to be found around the poles.The Moon's south pole, due to its tilt, is on the horizon and its lower areas are permanently in shadow.At night on the Moon (one day on the Moon is equivalent to 27.32 days on Earth), the temperature in this area drops as low as -414 degrees Fahrenheit (-248 degrees Celsius).This makes it an ideal place to freeze water or trap water molecules. Notably, the Moon's south pole is not visible from Earth.Explaining the challenges involved in returning the sample from the South Pole, Professor Naimuuddin said that the surface of the South Pole is more challenging because lunar descent vehicles rely on cameras to guide their final approach to the lunar surface, ensuring they avoid obstacles and hazards such as boulders or craters.But because the South Pole is darker, the terrain at both poles has more craters. The area around the equator is flat compared to other regions.Naimuddin revealed that as per preliminary reports, the Chandrayaan-4 mission would have two modules, a transfer module and a re-entry module, which would later fly on a second rocket but would remain parked in lunar orbit.The transfer and re-entry modules would then return to Earth, carrying the samples for safe landing.With More Missions on Moon, Are We Heading For A New Space War?India is not the only country exploring the South Pole: NASA has announced that it will explore the South Pole during a 100-day mission in 2024.Around 2024, NASA is expected to explore the South Pole during a 100-day mission. Similarly, China plans to send the Chang'e 7 mission there in 2026, along with a new moon rover to the South Pole.Meanwhile, the European Space Agency (ESA) has also announced plans to explore the Moon's south pole.Explaining India's interest in the Moon, Naimuddin said, "Generally, space missions have two aspects - one is scientific and the other is political. Every space mission has scientific aspects and is launched with the belief to explore space more. But at the same time, these missions are also a way of telling other countries how powerful and technologically advanced a country is"."So far, there is no by-product or economic benefit to mankind from landing on the moon, maybe in the future .... But an ambitious space mission is like reigniting your political, economic and military ambitions," Naimuddin added.ISRO has not yet announced the estimated budget for the Chandrayaan-4 mission.
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Chandrayaan-4's Big Challenge is Transporting Moon Soil Back to Earth: Expert
Deexa Khanduri
Sputnik correspondent
After successfully landing the rover on the lunar surface at the South Pole, ISRO announced that its next objective at the lunar crater will be to bring back the soil sample from the South Pole, the mission will be known as Chandrayaan-4.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has set itself a new goal: to bring lunar soil samples back to Earth.
The mission is expected to take place around 2030. The mission will have a heavier rover and a wider exploration zone than Chandrayaan-3.
Sputnik India reached out to
Dr Mohammad Naimuddin, a professor at
the University of Delhi's astrophysics department, to discuss the challenges for the Chandrayaan-4 and what mystery the moon holds.
"Chandrayaan 4 will be similar in objective to Chandrayaan-3, but the methodology will be different. The objective remains the same - to understand if there is water on the lunar surface. Chandrayaan-4 will bring the soil sample back to Earth. Though the study of soil samples on the lunar surface was done by Chandrayaan-3, it was limited as the rover had limited testing tools," Dr Naimuddin said.
The professor noted that the samples would help to understand if there is life on the Moon's surface.
Challenges For Chandrayaan-4
While the presence of water has been detected across the lunar surface in previous missions, most of it was thought to be found around the poles.
The Moon's south pole, due to its tilt, is on the horizon and its lower areas are permanently in shadow.
At night on the Moon (one day on the Moon is equivalent to 27.32 days on Earth), the temperature in this area drops as low as -414 degrees Fahrenheit (-248 degrees Celsius).
This makes it an ideal place to freeze water or trap water molecules. Notably, the Moon's south pole is not visible from Earth.
"The south pole of the Moon has not been explored and that is why all the Chandrayaan missions are so important. And if there is any hope of finding evidence of life or oxygen on the lunar surface, it is at the south pole," Professor Naimuddin stressed.
Explaining the challenges involved in returning the sample from the South Pole, Professor Naimuuddin said that the surface of the South Pole is more challenging because lunar descent vehicles rely on cameras to guide their final approach to the lunar surface, ensuring they avoid obstacles and hazards such as boulders or craters.
But because the South Pole is darker, the terrain at both poles has more craters. The area around the equator is flat compared to other regions.
"The real challenge is getting the soil sample back. Launching the rover from the lunar surface and bringing it back to Earth will be the challenge. There is no launch pad on the Moon and the gravity is one-sixth that of the Earth," said the professor.
Naimuddin revealed that as per preliminary reports, the Chandrayaan-4 mission would have two modules, a transfer module and a re-entry module, which would later fly on a second rocket but would remain parked in lunar orbit.
The transfer and re-entry modules would then return to Earth, carrying the samples for safe landing.
With More Missions on Moon, Are We Heading For A New Space War?
India is not the only country exploring the South Pole: NASA has announced that it will explore the South Pole during a 100-day mission in 2024.
Around 2024, NASA is expected to explore the South Pole during a 100-day mission. Similarly, China plans to send the Chang'e 7 mission there in 2026, along with a new moon rover to the South Pole.
Meanwhile, the European Space Agency (ESA) has also announced plans to explore the Moon's south pole.
Explaining India's interest in the Moon, Naimuddin said, "Generally, space missions have two aspects - one is scientific and the other is political. Every space mission has scientific aspects and is launched with the belief to explore space more. But at the same time, these missions are also a way of telling other countries how powerful and technologically advanced a country is".
"More than 50 years ago, the first mission to the Moon was launched, with Russia leading the way as the first nation to explore the Moon. During the intense competition of the Cold War, the two superpowers, Russia and the US, were eager to demonstrate their technological prowess," the expert said.
"So far, there is no by-product or economic benefit to mankind from landing on the moon, maybe in the future .... But an ambitious space mission is like reigniting your political, economic and military ambitions," Naimuddin added.
ISRO has not yet announced the estimated budget for the Chandrayaan-4 mission.
