Both missions were targeting the lunar south pole, a region never before explored except by spacecraft in lunar orbit. Both missions carried a multitude of scientific instruments, but the standout objective was to seek further evidence for, and information on, the existence of water ice. With a budget of €70m, India had become the first nation to land at the lunar south pole. This behaviour is a surprise, so there are things about South Pole soil that already needs further investigation. If that was not the case there would be no water ice.

Source: Irish Examiner September 03, 2023 19:06 UTC