NextFin news, The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on November 8, 2025, announced the free public release of advanced radar data products derived from its Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter. Operating since 2019, the orbiter’s Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR) instrument has generated over 1,400 datasets with an unprecedented spatial resolution of 25 meters per pixel in full L-band polarimetric mode. These datasets specifically cover the Moon's north and south polar regions (latitudes 80°–90°), areas that hold valuable scientific clues about the early solar system and potential water ice deposits.
Released via the Indian Space Science Data Centre’s PRADAN portal and accessible globally on the CH2 MapBrowse platform, these radar mosaics provide scientists with multiple critical parameters, including Circular Polarization Ratio (CPR) indicative of subsurface ice, Single Bounce Eigenvalue Relative Difference (SERD) measuring surface roughness, and T-Ratio related to the dielectric constant which reveals lunar soil density and porosity. Polarimetric decomposition components offer further granularity on radar scattering mechanisms across different terrains.
ISRO’s decision to offer these comprehensive, ready-to-use Level 3C polar mosaic data products for free aims to underpin not only lunar science but also the operational planning of future exploration missions. It complements existing hyperspectral datasets from Chandrayaan-2, enriching mineralogical and geophysical studies of the lunar poles.
Beyond helping scientists understand lunar surface composition and detect water ice patches, these insights have practical ramifications for the selection of safe landing sites and the identification of thermally stable zones critical for sustaining long-duration robotic or human presence. India’s successful Chandrayaan-3 soft landing near the lunar south pole in 2023 further heightens the strategic importance of this data, as such detailed radar mapping supports ongoing and forthcoming lunar endeavors globally.
The DFSAR instrument’s ability to transmit and receive radar signals in both vertical and horizontal polarizations provides a unique full-polarimetric dataset allowing sophisticated electromagnetic characterization of lunar regolith. ISRO’s indigenous development of advanced analytical algorithms and processing pipelines demonstrates significant strides in India’s space technology and data science capabilities.
This open data release aligns with ISRO’s broader goal of fostering international cooperation and knowledge sharing in lunar exploration, facilitating cross-disciplinary research in planetary science, geology, and astrochemistry. By enabling access to high-quality radar information, ISRO positions itself as a key contributor to the global lunar science community, a vital step in an era when lunar exploration is intensifying with multiple nations and private players targeting sustained presence on the Moon.
Looking ahead, the integration of these radar-derived physical and dielectric parameters with other datasets—such as Chandrayaan-2’s hyperspectral maps and future missions’ observations—promises to refine models of lunar surface and subsurface processes. This will not only enhance scientific understanding but also inform resource utilization strategies including in-situ resource extraction, crucial for lowering the cost and risk of lunar bases.
Moreover, ISRO’s transparent data-sharing policy could catalyze public-private partnerships and spur innovation in technologies tailored to lunar conditions. The ability to benchmark engineering solutions against detailed surface characterization reduces mission uncertainties and could lead to the development of novel autonomous landing and navigation systems.
In strategic terms amidst the current geopolitical landscape where space exploration reflects national prestige and technological prowess, ISRO’s data release under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump’s government highlights growing multipolarity in space capabilities. It also signals cooperative pathways that can transcend earthly politics by contributing openly to humanity’s shared aspirations in space.
In sum, the release of Chandrayaan-2’s advanced radar datasets marks a transformative juncture in lunar exploration. It empowers the global scientific community with unparalleled tools to investigate the Moon’s polar mysteries and prepares the infrastructure for future scientific and commercial missions. ISRO’s leadership in providing such datasets freely may well set a precedent encouraging more open data sharing that accelerates humanity’s return to the Moon in the coming decades.
According to authoritative reports from UNI and corroborated by Business Standard, this initiative significantly enhances the international galaxy of lunar research resources, reinforcing India’s stature as a major spacefaring nation with innovative mission design and data analytics expertise.
