Explorer

Chandrayaan-3's Vikram Lander Payload Records Pragyan Rover's Movements, Detects A Natural Event

The ILSA payload, which is a first-of-its-kind instrument on the Moon, has recorded an event, which appears to be a natural occurrence.

Chandrayaan-3: The Vikram lander’s Instrument for the Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) payload has recorded vibrations occurring due to the movements of the Pragyan rover, and other instruments onboard the lander. The ILSA payload, which is a first-of-its-kind instrument on the Moon, has also recorded an event, which appears to be a natural occurrence, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a mission update. The vibrations were recorded on August 25, 2023, and the natural event was recorded on August 26.

ILSA is a first-of-its-kind instrument on the Moon. According to ISRO, ILSA is the first and only Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology-based instrument on the Moon. ILSA makes use of electric and mechanical technology to perform its operations on the Moon. 

ILSA is made up of six high-sensitivity accelerometers, whose function is to measure the vibration or acceleration of an object. These accelerometers were made in India. 

Inside the sensing element of ILSA lies a spring system equipped with comb-structured electrodes. When external vibrations occur, the spring gets deflected, and there is a change in capacitance, which refers to the ability of a material to store electric charge. This increase in capacitance is converted into voltage. 

The main function of ILSA is to measure ground vibrations produced by natural lunar quakes, lunar impacts, and artificial events. 

Apart from measuring seismicity around the landing site, ILSA will perform experiments to understand the difference between the lunar crust and mantle. 

ISRO has released two graphs which show the variations in the acceleration of the rover and instruments with time. 

 

Chandrayaan-3's Vikram Lander Payload Records Pragyan Rover's Movements, Detects A Natural Event
Graph showing the variations of the Pragyan rover's acceleration with time, measured by the Vikram lander's ILSA payload (Photo: ISRO)

 

Chandrayaan-3's Vikram Lander Payload Records Pragyan Rover's Movements, Detects A Natural Event
The graph shows the measurements of a natural event made by the Vikram lander's ILSA payload (Photo: X/@ISRO)

The Vikram lander's payloads will also measure how intense solar radiations have impacted the Moon's surface and altered it. All these activities will help scientists plan for future lunar missions. 

ALSO READ | Chandrayaan-3's Vikram Lander Payload Makes First-Ever Measurements Of Plasma Environment Over Lunar South Pole

K Siddhartha, Earth Scientist at ISRO and a strategic thinker, told ABP Live that ILSA will detect and study lunar quakes, and the rumblings, if confirmed, will open up exciting possibilities for future exploration.

ALSO READ | Chandrayaan-3's Pragyan Rover Payload Confirms Presence Of Sulphur On Moon's South Pole. Know More

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

India Confirms Meeting Between India, Canada Intel Officials, But Maintains No Evidence Shared On Nijjar Case
India Confirms Meeting Between India, Canada Intel Officials, But Maintains No Evidence Shared On Nijjar Case
Jharkhand Elections: INDIA Bloc Arrives At Seat-Sharing Agreement, Friendly Fight In 3 Seats
Jharkhand Elections: INDIA Bloc Arrives At Seat-Sharing Agreement, Friendly Fight In 3 Seats
Pawar Family Hosts Separate Diwali Events For 1st Time As Ajit, Sharad Gear Up For Maharashtra Polls
Pawar Power Split: Pawar Family Hosts Two Diwalis For 1st Time As Ajit, Sharad Gear Up For Polls
4 Sanitation Workers, Including Two Women, Killed After Being Hit By Train In Kerala's Palakkad
4 Sanitation Workers, Including Two Women, Killed After Being Hit By Train In Kerala's Palakkad
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Chirag Paswan Exclusive Interview: Chirag Paswan with Megha Prasad Watch The Teaser | ABP LIVEDigital Arrest Explained: What is Digital Arrest, and How to Avoid It? Key Points to Keep in MindAniruddhacharya Interview: How Did Baba Aniruddhacharya Gain Knowledge Without Attending School as a Child?Diwali 2024: Akshardham Air Quality Deteriorates to Hazardous Levels Post-October 30

Photo Gallery

Embed widget