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Category — GS Paper 3 ///Published — 2026-05-23 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Scientific Innovations & Discoveries, Space Technology, Chandrayaan-3 ///Category — GS Paper 3 ///Published — 2026-05-23 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Scientific Innovations & Discoveries, Space Technology, Chandrayaan-3 ///

News · GS Paper 3

Chandrayaan-3 Discovers Two-Layered Moon Surface Structure

ISRO scientists have published significant findings from Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander hop experiment, revealing a two-layered structure in the Moon's upper regolith. The top 2-6 cm layer is highly cohesive and hyper-porous with bulk density ranging from 750-1600 kg/m³, which has crucial implications for future lunar base planning and water-ice assessment. The 50 cm hop experiment by the lander using residual propellant provided first-hand data on lunar surface thermal behavior and geotechnical properties.

2026-05-23

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Background

The Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed on the Moon's South Polar region in August 2023, making India the first country to achieve a soft landing near the lunar south pole. Following the landing, ISRO conducted two unique experiments - the ChaSTE (Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment) and the Vikram lander's 'hop' experiment.

ChaSTE Experiment

ChaSTE (Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment) is equipped with temperature sensors and a heating probe
The instrument penetrated the lunar regolith to study thermal properties
It measured temperature variations at different depths below the surface

Vikram Lander Hop Experiment

The Vikram lander fired its engines and performed a hop of about 50 cm using residual propellant
This helped scientists study surface behavior at a different location from the original landing site
The experiment provided data on surface erosion, compaction, and geotechnical variability

Key Findings

Lunar Regolith vs Lunar Soil

Scientists clarified that the Moon's surface layer is more accurately termed "lunar regolith" rather than lunar soil
Lunar regolith consists of shattered rocks and jagged glass-like particles

Two-Layered Structure Discovered

The study revealed a two-layered cake-like structure within the top few centimetres of the lunar surface
Top Layer (2-6 cm): Highly cohesive, sticky and hyper-porous, functioning like a thermal blanket
Major density variation observed within a few centimetres
Bulk density increases from 750 kg/m³ to 1600 kg/m³ below the surface

Significance for Future Missions

The porous layer is significant for:

Storage of subsurface water-ice molecules
Selection of sites for future lunar bases and habitats
Understanding rocket plume-surface interaction
Assessing lunar surface stability
Analyzing thermal behavior for equipment design

Constitutional/Policy Context

These findings support India's Space Policy 2023 objectives
Align with long-term goals of the Gaganyaan mission and future lunar exploration
Contributes to India's vision of establishing itself as a major space power

Importance for India

Strengthens ISRO's credentials in planetary science
Provides critical data for designing future lunar landers and habitat structures
Helps identify potential sites for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU)
Advances understanding needed for eventual Indian lunar base planning