360° UPSC Mains Analysis

Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad

The lunar south pole features extreme geological conditions with permanently shadowed craters maintaining temperatures as low as -25K (approx. -248°C), acting as cold traps. Geologically, the presence of lobate-rim craters suggests impact events that penetrated subsurface ice layers, causing flow-like morphological features.

The study focuses on the lunar South Polar Region, specifically within permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) of craters like Faustini. On Earth, the research was driven by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and the mission was launched from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, bordering the Bay of Bengal.

The detection of subsurface water-ice is critical for In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) in future manned and unmanned lunar missions. Water-ice can be processed to provide life support (drinking water, oxygen) and rocket propellant (hydrogen and oxygen), making the lunar south pole a highly strategic zone for deep-space exploration.

Under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, 'Union agencies and institutions for professional, vocational or technical training... or promotion of special studies or research' (Entry 65) and 'Co-ordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions' (Entry 66) fall exclusively under the Union List (List I). This gives the Central Government sole legislative and executive authority over space exploration and national scientific research bodies like ISRO and PRL.

The discovery enhances India's commercial launch and satellite data services, boosting high-tech service exports through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). It positions India as a cost-effective partner for international lunar missions, improving the service trade balance and reducing import dependence on foreign space-grade components.

The discovery of subsurface lunar ice enhances India's position in the global space economy, which is targeted to grow from $8.4 billion in 2022 to$44 billion by 2033, capturing an 8% global market share. This technological milestone boosts high-tech R&D and attracts foreign direct investment (FDI), positively impacting long-term capital inflows and forex reserves. Additionally, it reduces the cost of future deep-space missions through In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU), optimizing public capital expenditure.

The primary impact is on the Tertiary sector (Space technology, R&D, and satellite data services) and the Secondary sector (aerospace manufacturing and high-tech components). It stimulates the domestic space-tech ecosystem, particularly benefiting over 440 registered space startups (as of 2026) engaged in downstream data applications and satellite component manufacturing.

This development accelerates high-skilled employment in STEM fields, particularly in aerospace engineering, data analytics, and advanced manufacturing. It strengthens the domestic supply chain by integrating local MSMEs into global aerospace networks, fostering wage growth in high-tech industries.

Following independence, India's scientific leadership, spearheaded by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Dr. Homi Bhabha, recognized the strategic and developmental importance of space technology. In 1962, the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was established under the Department of Atomic Energy to initiate space research. This early vision prioritized utilizing space technology for societal benefits, such as telecommunications and weather forecasting, rather than military or purely competitive prestige.

India's space policy evolved from a purely developmental focus in the 1960s and 1970s to advanced planetary exploration in the 21st century, marked by the launch of Chandrayaan-1 in 2008. The establishment of the Department of Space in 1972 institutionalized space activities, while the recent Indian Space Policy 2023 shifted the paradigm by encouraging private sector participation and commercialization. This transition reflects a strategic shift from basic satellite launching to deep-space exploration and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) planning.

The detection of subsurface ice by Chandrayaan-2's DFSAR parallels Chandrayaan-1's landmark 2009 discovery of water molecules on the lunar surface using the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3). Both discoveries redefined global understanding of lunar volatiles and positioned India as a pioneer in lunar water research, transitioning from surface-level detection to subsurface mapping.

The emphasis on space exploration stems from the concept of 'scientific temper,' a term coined by Jawaharlal Nehru during the freedom struggle in his book 'The Discovery of India' (1946) and later enshrined in the Constitution under Article 51A(h) as a fundamental duty.