This Day, That Year: What Happened on September 24

India's Chandrayaan-1 finds water molecules on Moon

On September 24, 2009, India's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft achieved a groundbreaking milestone in lunar exploration by confirming the presence of water molecules on the Moon's surface. This monumental discovery not only reshaped our understanding of Earth's celestial neighbor but also positioned India as a significant player in space research.

Equipped with advanced instruments, Chandrayaan-1 embarked on a mission to unravel the mysteries of the Moon. Among its suite of scientific instruments was the Moon Impact Probe (MIP), a device designed to descend to the lunar surface and conduct experiments. MIP's findings astonished the scientific community and the world at large - it detected the unmistakable signature of water molecules in the form of hydroxyl ions.

This revelation challenged long-held assumptions about the Moon's arid and desolate nature. It suggested that water, albeit in minuscule quantities, was present on the lunar surface, opening new avenues for scientific inquiry and future lunar exploration missions.

The discovery had far-reaching implications. Water is a precious resource, essential for sustaining life and supporting human space exploration endeavors. Its presence on the Moon, even in trace amounts, hinted at the possibility of utilizing lunar resources for future manned missions or as a stepping stone for deeper space exploration.

Chandrayaan-1's achievement was a testament to India's growing prowess in space technology and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge. It garnered international acclaim and solidified India's reputation as a formidable contender in the global space race.

Since this watershed moment, India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), has continued to blaze trails in space exploration. The success of Chandrayaan-1 paved the way for subsequent lunar missions, including Chandrayaan-2, which furthered our understanding of Earth's enigmatic satellite.

India's Mangalyaan successfully entered Mars orbit in first attempt

On September 24, 2014, India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan, successfully entered the orbit of Mars in its first attempt. This made India the fourth space agency to achieve Mars orbit, after Roscosmos, NASA, and the European Space Agency. It also made India the first Asian nation to reach the Martian orbit and the first nation in the world to do so on its maiden attempt.

Mangalyaan was launched on November 5, 2013, from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, India. It took off on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C25) and spent 300 days in transit to Mars. On September 24, 2014, Mangalyaan fired its main engine for 24 minutes to slow down and enter Martian orbit. It was a complex maneuver, and the success of the mission was a testament to the skills and expertise of ISRO scientists.

Mangalyaan was a low-cost mission, costing only about $74 million. This made it one of the most affordable interplanetary missions ever undertaken. The mission was also designed to be a technology demonstrator, to prove that India could successfully design, launch, and operate an interplanetary spacecraft.

Mangalyaan carried five scientific instruments, which have been used to study the Martian atmosphere, surface, and composition. The mission has made a number of important discoveries, including the detection of methane in the Martian atmosphere. Methane is a potential biosignature, and its presence on Mars raises the possibility that life could exist on the planet.

Mangalyaan was originally planned to operate for six months, but it has far exceeded its lifespan. As of September 2023, Mangalyaan is still in orbit around Mars and continues to send back valuable scientific data. The mission has been a resounding success for ISRO and has cemented India's place as a leading spacefaring nation.