ISRO's infrared spectrometer on Chandrayaan-2 finds water molecules on Moon

ISRO’s homegrown instrument aboard Chandrayan-2 has detected the unambiguous presence of hydroxyl and water molecules on the Moon with the precision of differentiating between the two. The research also suggests that the presence of these molecules could correlate with mineralogy and latitudinal location.

The discovery is being hailed as pathbreaking and critical for future planetary exploration and resource utilisation.

A research article in the August issue of Current Science, said that three strips on the Moon’s surface were analysed by sensors for water, and widespread lunar hydration along with OH (hydroxyl) and H2O (water) signatures were found on the Moon.

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ISRO also launches an Earth Observation Satellite on August 12. The satellite will play a key role in disaster management and mitigation for India as it will enable almost real-time monitoring of natural disasters like floods and cyclones that have become common in the Indian subcontinent.

The satellite will image the whole country four to five times daily, sending in key data on weather and environmental changes to different agencies.