(Source – The Hindu, Section – States, Page – 3 Topic: GS3 – Science and Technology – Achievements of Indians in S&T Understanding lunar water ice distribution aids in selecting landing sites and planning missions, crucial for India’s space exploration endeavours. |
Context: |
● Indian space scientists, in collaboration with international researchers, discovered significant amounts of sub-surface water ice in lunar polar craters, crucial for future lunar exploration missions. |
Analysis of the news:
- A study by Indian space scientists, including ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) and collaborators from IIT Kanpur, USC, JPL, and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, reveals enhanced water ice occurrence in lunar polar craters.
- Sub-surface ice is estimated to be five to eight times larger than surface ice in both poles, suggesting drilling for sampling is crucial for future missions.
- The northern polar region shows double the extent of water ice compared to the southern pole.
- Sub-surface water ice in lunar poles is attributed to out-gassing during Imbrian period volcanism, with mare volcanism and preferential impact cratering influencing its distribution.
- Accurate knowledge of water ice distribution and depth is vital for selecting future landing and sampling sites for exploring lunar volatiles.
- This study supports ISRO’s future in-situ volatile exploration plans on the moon, shaping future lunar missions and long-term human presence.
Imbrian Period Volcanism |
● The Imbrian period started from 3.85 billion years ago to 3.16 billion years ago, during which the Early Imbrian epoch last from 3.85 to 3.80 billion years ago and the Late Imbrian epoch last from 3.80 to 3.16 billion years ago. ● Imbrian period volcanism occurred approximately 3.8 to 3.2 billion years ago during the Moon’s Imbrian epoch. ● It was marked by intense volcanic activity, shaping much of the lunar surface. ● Imbrian volcanism likely resulted from impacts that ruptured the lunar crust, allowing magma to reach the surface. ● The volcanic activity declined as the Moon cooled, leaving behind the volcanic features we observe today. ● Understanding Imbrian volcanism sheds light on the Moon’s geological history and early solar system dynamics. |
PYQ: India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space missions, both in terms of technology and logistics? Explain critically. (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2017) |
Practice Question: Discuss the significance of the recent discovery of sub-surface water ice in lunar polar craters for India’s space exploration missions and future lunar exploration endeavours. (150 Words /10 marks) |