Synopsis
Here are the key points from the document:
- The first phase of lunar exploration began in the late 1950s and 1960s with flyby, impact, and orbital missions by the US and Soviet Union. Key early milestones included the first lunar flyby (Luna 1), first image of the far side of the Moon (Luna 3), first soft landing (Luna 9), and first lunar sample return by the Soviet Union.
- The US landed 12 astronauts on the Moon between 1969-1972 during the Apollo program and returned over 380 kg of lunar rocks and soil. This allowed detailed study of lunar geology and composition.
- After Apollo, lunar exploration slowed down until the 1990s when new orbital missions were undertaken, including by the US, Europe, Japan, China, and India. Interest renewed as evidence grew for lunar polar water ice.
- Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, was India’s first lunar probe. It carried out chemical, mineralogical, and photo-geologic mapping of the Moon from orbit. A key discovery was definitive evidence for lunar water ice.
- Lunar resources of interest include water ice, lunar regolith containing oxygen, metals, and minerals, and potential reserves of helium-3 that could fuel future fusion reactors. The Moon’s resources could enable future in situ resource utilization.
- Recent lunar exploration since 2010 has involved more sophisticated orbital mapping, landing advanced rovers, and returning samples. China landed the first rover on the lunar far side with Chang’e-4 in 2019.
- Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, launched in 2019, is studying lunar mineralogy, elemental composition, exosphere, and signatures of hydroxyl and water ice. It aims to produce a detailed 3-D map of the lunar surface.
In summary, the Moon has been a prime target for space exploration for over 60 years. While early missions focused on basic reconnaissance, recent missions are assessing lunar resources and enabling future utilization. Chandrayaan-1 and 2 have been India’s pathbreaking contributions to modern lunar exploration.
