In September 2009 it was announced that different payloads of Chandrayaan-1 had
detected water on the Moon. The satellite detected absorption features near 2.8–3.0
µm in a widely distributed area on the surface of the Moon. It appears strongest at
cooler high latitudes and at several fresh craters. The observations also suggest that
the formation H2O is an ongoing surficial process.
Chandrayaan-1 discovered a large cave below the lunar surface. The tunnel, which
was discovered near the lunar equator, is an empty volcanic tube, measuring about 2
kilometres in length and 360 metres in width.
Thus, these discoveries could be a crucial for a potential site for human settlement on
the Moon in the future.
The Moon is known for its diverse topographical features. The probe surveyed the
lunar surface to produce a complete map of its chemical characteristics and threedimensional topography. The mineral content on the lunar surface was mapped by the
probe. The presence of iron was reiterated and changes in rock and mineral
composition have been identified. Chandrayaan has also confirmed that the Moon was
once completely molten.
Chandrayaan-1 has helped in rubbishing conspiracy theories that the U.S. mission to
land on the Moon four decades back was a hoax. The probe, besides producing more
than 70,000 three dimensional images, has also mapped the Apollo Moon missions
landing sites.
Chandrayaan-1 also recorded pictures of the Earth and the Sun during its mission. It
detected more than two dozen weak solar flares during the mission duration.
On 14 November 2008, the Moon Impact Probe struck the south pole in a controlled
manner, making India the fourth country to place its flag on the Moon.
Overall, the mission was a major boost to India's space program, as India researched
and developed its own technology