India's Intentional Moon Crash: Discoveries and Lessons Learned
India's Chandrayaan-1 mission, launched in 2008, made a significant discovery by detecting water and hydroxyl on the Moon's surface. The mission included the Moon Impact Probe (MIP), which was released to impact the lunar surface near the Shackleton Crater. MIP captured images, analyzed atmospheric components, and utilized a laser altimeter, providing initial indications of water's presence. MIP's revelation of lunar water predates NASA's confirmation, highlighting the significance of the discovery. The mission's success paved the way for future lunar missions, including Chandrayaan-3.