For units of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Kerala, it was a moment of pride as the ‘Vikram’ lander touched down on the moon’s surface.
For the Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), the real job, in fact, has just begun. SPL is responsible for two of the scientific payloads aboard the lander module.
Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE), developed by SPL in collaboration with the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, is designed to measure the thermal properties of the lunar regolith. Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA), a Langmuir Probe, will measure near-surface plasma density and how it changes with time.
