Breakthrough: India’s Chandrayaan-3 Lands on Moon – In a momentous achievement for India’s space program, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft has successfully landed on the moon’s surface, signaling a victory for the nation’s ambitions in space exploration. The landing also comes just days after a Russian lander’s crash, highlighting India’s prowess as a growing space power.
Flawless Landing
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present at the BRICS summit in South Africa, celebrated the achievement, describing it as “a victory cry of a new India.” The spacecraft’s flawless landing was met with elation among scientists and officials, who cheered and embraced each other. This achievement is further poised to stimulate investment in private space launches and satellite-based enterprises.
S. Somanath, Chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), proudly proclaimed, “India is on the moon,” underscoring the significance of the successful landing on the lunar south pole.
Chandrayaan: The meaning, previous attempts
Chandrayaan, translating to “moon vehicle” in Hindi and Sanskrit, had encountered setbacks in the past, notably with the Chandrayaan-2 mission where the lander crashed while deploying an orbiter in 2019.
The Chandrayaan-3’s mission extends for two weeks, encompassing vital experiments such as mineral composition analysis of the lunar surface using a spectrometer. The challenging terrain of the moon’s south pole also adds historical value to the landing, with the region’s icy terrain offering potential resources for future missions, including fuel, oxygen, and water.
“Landing on the south pole (of the moon) would actually allow India to generally explore if there is water ice on the moon. And this is very important for cumulative data and science on the geology of the moon,” explained Carla Filotico, a partner and managing director at SpaceTec Partners.
The anticipation leading up to the landing was palpable, with Indian media featuring countdowns and headlines celebrating the event. People across the nation joined prayers and held special ceremonies, reflecting the significance of the achievement.
Reactions from various faiths
The landing’s success drew responses from various faiths, with prayers held in Hindu temples, mosques, and Sikh gurduwaras. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri noted that India’s progress was not only economic but also scientific and technological, representing a major leap forward for the nation.
As Chandrayaan-3 sets the stage for further lunar exploration, India’s space endeavors continue to make strides on the global stage, further solidifying its position as a formidable player in space exploration.
