Indian Rover Uncovers Surprising Sulfur Find at Moon's South Pole
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced that its lunar rover, Pragyaan, has detected sulfur and several other elements near the Moon's south pole, marking the "first-ever in-situ measurements" of resources in that region. The discovery of sulfur, along with aluminum, iron, calcium, chromium, titanium, manganese, oxygen, and silicon, provides valuable insights into the elemental composition of the lunar surface. The rover's Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument was used to analyze rocks by creating localized plasma through laser heating. The ISRO is now searching for hydrogen, which could indicate the presence of water ice. This achievement is a positive step for India's space agency following a failed lunar landing attempt in 2019.