India successfully reaches the South Pole of the Moon

2023/08/24 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Aeronautika
• Astronomia

The Indian Space Research Institute (ISRO) is held: The Vikram module of mission 3 in Chandraya has reached the South Pole of the Moon as planned. Thus, India has become the fourth country that has dragged a ship to the surface of the Moon (behind the US, the former Soviet Union and China) and the first to land on the South Pole of the Moon. The scientific interest of this region is noteworthy, since there is icy water in its craters.

The exploration of this region will be the mission of the Pragyan vehicle which has been illuminated within the Vikram module. It will dedicate a lunar day (14 terrestrial days), focusing particularly on water. On the one hand, water composition can provide information about the beginning of the solar system. On the other hand, if useful, it can be a valuable resource, both for the placement of a permanent base on the Moon and for obtaining oxygen and hydrogen as rocket fuel.

For these reasons, the South Pole has also been affected by other space agencies where a Russian ship wanted to land a few days earlier: Moon 25. But the operation of the Moon went wrong and was destroyed against the Moon. The end was the same for two boats that Japan and Israel sent to the Moon. This shows that it's not easy to land on the Moon.

However, more and more countries are planning to participate in lunar competition. And not a few astronomers have pointed to the need for firm agreements to protect the Moon. In fact, the interests of each other are sometimes contradictory.