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Chandrayaan-1 data point to one of the Moon's oldest impact basins
Why in News?
One of the Moon's oldest basins, found by India's own probe: the GS3 space mission fact
New analysis of Chandrayaan-1 data suggests the mission may have detected one of the Moon's oldest impact basins.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2010; GS-3 core; factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 min read
New analysis of data from India's Chandrayaan-1 mission suggests it may have detected one of the Moon's oldest impact basins.
Chandrayaan-1, launched by ISRO in 2008, was India's first lunar mission and carried instruments including the Moon Impact Probe, which helped confirm the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface.
The mission's data continue to be analysed by scientists studying the Moon's geological history.
Sources: Indian Express · Topper IAS editorial
Key facts
Remember these
- Chandrayaan-1 was ISRO's first lunar mission, launched in 2008
- It carried the Moon Impact Probe (MIP), which helped confirm water molecules on the lunar surface
- New analysis of its old data now points to one of the Moon's oldest impact basins
- Scientists continue to study Chandrayaan-1 data for clues to the Moon's geological history
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, was India's first lunar mission
- The Moon Impact Probe (MIP) aboard Chandrayaan-1 helped confirm the presence of water molecules on the Moon
- Recent re-analysis of Chandrayaan-1 data suggests detection of one of the Moon's oldest impact basins
Mains
Relevant to GS Paper 3 (Science and Technology/Space): legacy missions like Chandrayaan-1 continue to yield new scientific findings years after launch, underscoring the value of long-term data archiving and reanalysis. This highlights the need for sustained investment in India's lunar programme and stronger data-sharing frameworks to maximise scientific returns from past missions.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
In the context of space technology, what is "Bhuvan", recently in the news?
- A mini satellite launched by ISRO for promoting the distance education in India
- The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayan-II
- A geoportal of ISRO with 3 D imaging capabilities of India
- A space telescope developed by India
Show answer
Answer: C
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Chandrayaan-1, India's first lunar mission credited with helping detect water molecules on the Moon's surface, was launched in which year?
- 2013
- 2008
- 2019
- 2023
Show answer
Answer: B — Chandrayaan-1, launched by ISRO in 2008, carried instruments including the Moon Impact Probe and helped confirm the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface.
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