Thermal conductivity of high latitude lunar regolith measured by Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) onboard Chandrayaan 3 lander.

The thermal conductivity of the lunar regolith is an essential parameter in studying the thermal behavior of the Moon and in planning future lunar exploration. The Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) aboard Vikram lander of the Indian Moon mission Chandrayaan 3 made the first in situ measurement of thermal conductivity of lunar regolith at southern high latitude using a thermal probe with ten temperature sensors at uneven intervals within 10 cm and a foil-type heater wound around the probe close to the nose tip. The ChaSTE thermal probe was inserted into the lunar regolith by a controlled motorized penetration in 29 hours.