India has made history once again with the successful landing of its third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed that the spacecraft’s Vikram lander touched down on the Moon’s surface at 18:04 IST on July 14, 2023, making India the fourth country in the world to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.
The mission’s primary objective was to demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface, a crucial milestone for India’s growing space ambitions. Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander and its accompanying Pragyan rover are equipped with a suite of scientific instruments designed to study the lunar surface, analyze its composition, and search for water ice.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was monitoring the mission’s progress from ISRO’s headquarters in Bengaluru, congratulated the scientists and engineers for their hard work and dedication. “Today is a proud moment for India and a testament to our scientific prowess. Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing on the Moon marks a new chapter in India’s space exploration journey,” he said.
ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Sivan expressed his elation over the mission’s success. “This achievement is the result of years of hard work, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by our scientists. Chandrayaan-3 will pave the way for future lunar missions and enhance our understanding of the Moon,” he stated.
The Vikram lander, named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space program, is equipped with advanced technology to navigate the challenging lunar terrain. The Pragyan rover, which means ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, will traverse the Moon’s surface, conducting experiments and sending valuable data back to Earth.
Chandrayaan-3’s success follows the legacy of its predecessors, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2. Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, was the mission that confirmed the presence of water molecules on the Moon, while Chandrayaan-2, despite a partial failure in its landing attempt in 2019, contributed significant data about the lunar surface.
The mission has garnered international attention and has been hailed as a significant step forward in space exploration. Experts from around the world have praised ISRO’s achievement, highlighting India’s growing capabilities in space technology.
As Chandrayaan-3 begins its scientific exploration, the data collected will provide valuable insights into the Moon’s geology and environment, contributing to humanity’s broader understanding of our closest celestial neighbor.