Current Affairs - Technology - Discussion

Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) was designed as the first instrument to directly measure temperatures near the moon’s south pole. Integrated into the Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-3, it utilized a rotation-based deployment mechanism, which allowed it to penetrate the lunar soil effectively—up to 10 cm. Equipped with multiple temperature sensors, ChaSTE recorded variations in thermal properties at different depths. Unlike past missions like NASA’s InSight or ESA’s Philae, which failed due to deployment issues, ChaSTE’s innovative design ensured accurate in situ measurements. These findings are essential for understanding lunar thermodynamics and planning future missions, especially those aimed at human settlement.