India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has made groundbreaking discoveries about the presence of lunar ice, indicating that frozen water deposits may be more abundant and accessible than previously believed.The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully landed Chandrayaan-3 near the Moon's South Pole on August 23, 2023, marking a significant achievement in lunar exploration. New data from the mission has provided crucial insights into temperature variations that affect ice formation beneath the lunar surface.These findings could have far-reaching implications for future lunar missions, including NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon.
 

Temperature Variations and Lunar Ice Formation

The Chandrayaan-3 research team, led by Durga Prasad Karanam from the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, has analyzed temperature variations across different regions of the Moon. Their research suggests that:

• Lunar ice may be more widespread than initially believed.
• The formation and preservation of ice are influenced by local surface properties and solar radiation patterns.
• Areas with slopes greater than 14 degrees, particularly those facing away from the Sun, could remain cold enough to allow ice accumulation near the surface.

These findings are based on temperature measurements recorded by the ChaSTE (Chandrayaan-3’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) probe, which measured temperatures from the surface down to a depth of 10 centimeters.
 

At Shiv Shakti Point, the Chandrayaan-3 landing site:

• Daytime temperatures reached 82°C.
• Nighttime temperatures dropped to -170°C.

These extreme temperature swings support the theory that ice could remain trapped in permanently shadowed regions, protected from direct sunlight.
 

Significance for Future Lunar Exploration

The discovery of more accessible ice deposits is critical for upcoming lunar exploration missions, including NASA’s Artemis program, which is set to send astronauts to the Moon in the coming years.

Why is lunar ice important?

• It can be harvested as a resource for drinking water, oxygen production, and fuel generation for spacecraft.
• Ice could support long-term lunar settlements, reducing the need for Earth-based resupply missions.
• It provides insights into the Moon’s geological history and early solar system conditions.

However, due to the Moon’s ultra-high vacuum environment, lunar ice does not melt into liquid water. Instead, it sublimates directly into vapor when exposed to heat. This means future missions must develop specialized harvesting techniques to extract and store the ice efficiently.
 

High-Latitude Regions Identified as Prime Ice Deposits

The study highlights that high-latitude areas of the Moon—regions between 60° and 80° latitude—are more suitable for ice accumulation than previously assumed.

Compared to the extreme conditions at the Moon’s poles, these regions offer:

• Fewer technical challenges for ice extraction.
• More stable conditions for future lunar infrastructure.
• A greater potential for setting up lunar bases.

Chandrayaan-3’s Legacy in Lunar Exploration

India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission made history as the first spacecraft to land near the southernmost point of the Moon, a feat previously unachieved by any other nation.The mission has been hailed as one of the most economical and successful lunar explorations, demonstrating India’s growing capabilities in space research.With its latest findings on lunar ice deposits, Chandrayaan-3 has significantly influenced the scientific community’s understanding of the Moon’s resources, helping pave the way for sustainable space exploration in the future.As global space agencies continue their Moon exploration efforts, Chandrayaan-3’s discoveries will play a crucial role in shaping lunar mission strategies for decades to come.