The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Saturday that it has developed advanced lunar data products from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, including detailed insights into the Moon’s polar regions. The data offers new parameters on the physical and dielectric properties of the lunar surface, which the agency described as a major contribution to future global exploration missions.
In a post on X, ISRO stated that these new parameters represent “India’s major value addition towards future global exploration of the Moon.” The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, which has been in lunar orbit since 2019, has produced nearly 1,400 radar datasets through its Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR) instrument.
According to ISRO, the DFSAR is the first radar of its kind to map the Moon in L-band full-polarimetric mode, offering a resolution of 25 meters per pixel. This radar system transmits and receives signals in both vertical and horizontal directions, enabling comprehensive assessment of the Moon’s surface properties.
Scientists at ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad used these radar datasets to generate advanced data products that can help identify the potential presence of water-ice, surface roughness, and key electrical characteristics such as the dielectric constant. The dielectric constant helps scientists understand the density and porosity of lunar soil, providing deeper insights into the Moon’s geological composition.
The space agency noted that both the analytical algorithm and the resulting data products were developed entirely in-house, underscoring ISRO’s growing technical capability in planetary data processing. “These advanced data products can provide first-order information about the Moon’s polar regions, which are believed to have preserved the early chemical conditions of the solar system,” ISRO said in a statement.
It added that studying these regions can yield valuable clues about the evolution of planetary bodies across the solar system. The new radar data also complements hyperspectral data collected in earlier missions, helping refine understanding of the distribution of minerals and potential volatile elements on the Moon.
The latest data from Chandrayaan-2 adds to India’s expanding role in lunar research, particularly as international collaborations increase around upcoming missions focused on the Moon’s south pole.
ISRO’s announcement comes shortly after the successful launch of the nation’s heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket—nicknamed the “Bahubali” launcher. The satellite was successfully placed in its intended orbit, marking another achievement in India’s growing space programme.
Through these continued advancements, ISRO has reaffirmed its commitment to both national and international lunar science efforts, strengthening India’s position as a key contributor to future Moon exploration.
