criteria for ice:
CPR > 1 and
DOP < 0.13 .
Temperature in doubly shadowed craters: 25 Kelvin (-248°C).
Crater shape evidence: Lobate-rim morphology (flow-like rim).
Implications: In-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) for future human missions.
Research team: Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.
Study published in: npj Space Exploration (Springer Nature).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What did ISRO announce on 27-28 May 2026?
A: ISRO announced strong evidence of possible subsurface ice near the Moon's south pole, found using Chandrayaan-2's DFSAR radar.
Q2: What is a doubly shadowed crater?
A: A small crater located inside a larger permanently shadowed region that never receives direct sunlight or thermal radiation.
Q3: What does CPR greater than 1 and DOP less than 0.13 indicate?
A: These radar values suggest volumetric scattering, which is a pattern associated with subsurface water ice.
Q4: What is lobate-rim morphology?
A: A flow-like or lobed shape around a crater's rim that may form when an impact penetrates an ice-rich layer below the surface.
Q5: Why is this discovery important for future space missions?
A: Water ice can be converted into drinking water, oxygen, and rocket fuel, enabling long-term human presence on the Moon.
Month: Current Affairs - May 28, 2026
Category: ISRO-Chandrayaan2