New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has revealed a photograph of the Vikram lander from the Chandrayaan 3 mission. The image was taken on September 6 2023, by a radar instrument called Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR) on board the Chandrayaan 2 orbiter. ISRO proudly shared this picture on Twitter.
DFSAR is a tool installed on the Chandrayaan 2 Orbiter. It uses microwaves in both L and S-band frequencies, making it an innovative device for capturing polarimetric images during space missions. With its wavelength, DFSAR can explore beneath the surface and provide intricate insights into features up to a few meters deep. Over the past four years, DFSAR has consistently delivered high-quality data by mapping the lunar landscape, focusing on advancing our understanding of lunar polar science.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments work by transmitting microwaves within frequencies and then receiving signals reflected from the target surface. One notable advantage of SAR is that it can capture images regardless of illumination conditions making it suitable for imaging under lighting scenarios. Moreover, SAR excels not in providing distance information but in revealing detailed physical characteristics of the target features.
The recent unveiling of the Chandrayaan 3 Lander image by ISRO highlights their commitment to exploring the moon and conducting studies. This remarkable achievement demonstrates ISRO’s utilization of technology and skills, enabling us to deepen our knowledge of the terrain and open up possibilities for upcoming lunar expeditions.