India Successfully Lands Spacecraft on Moon’s South Pole, Becoming Fourth Nation to Achieve the Feat
BENGALURU, Aug 23 – In a historic moment for India’s space program, an Indian spacecraft successfully landed on the rugged and unexplored south pole of the moon on Wednesday. The mission, known as Chandrayaan-3, is seen as crucial to lunar exploration and India’s standing as a space power. The successful landing comes just days after a similar Russian lander crashed during its mission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was attending a BRICS summit in South Africa, expressed his joy and pride in India’s achievement. “This moment is unforgettable. It is phenomenal. This is a victory cry of a new India,” he said, waving the Indian flag as he watched the landing.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief, S. Somanath, declared, “India is on the moon,” making India the fourth nation to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon, following the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union.
The south pole landing is particularly significant due to the rough terrain and the potential for valuable resources. The region’s ice could potentially supply fuel, oxygen, and drinking water for future missions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated India on its achievement, calling it a “big step forward in space exploration.” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson also extended his congratulations to ISRO, stating, “We’re glad to be your partner on this mission!”
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is expected to remain functional for two weeks, conducting various experiments and analyzing the mineral composition of the lunar surface. The successful landing has given India the confidence to extend its reach to possible voyages to Mars and Venus.
India is also planning a mission to study the sun in September, and preparations for a human space flight are underway, with a target date of 2024.
The landing is expected to enhance India’s reputation for cost-competitive space engineering. The Chandrayaan-3 mission had a budget of approximately $74 million, which is less than the cost of producing the 2013 Hollywood space thriller “Gravity.”
The anticipation leading up to the landing was palpable across India, with banner headlines and countdowns featured in newspapers and news channels. Prayers were held at places of worship, and school children waved the Indian tricolor as they eagerly awaited live screenings of the landing.
The successful landing on the moon’s south pole opens up new possibilities for India’s space exploration and scientific progress. As Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated, “Not just economic, but India is achieving scientific and technological progress as well.”
India’s next moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, is scheduled for launch on July 14, 2023. The Soviet Union, the United States, and China are the only three countries that have successfully carried out soft landings on the moon.
Reporting by Nivedita Bhattacharjee in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Sunil Kataria, Krishn Kaushik, Tanvi Mehta, Maria Kiselyova; Writing by Shilpa Jamkhandikar and Shivam Patel, Editing by Gerry Doyle, Angus MacSwan, and Nick Macfie
What potential resources can be found in the south pole of the moon and how are they significant for future missions
CONGRATULATIONS INDIA: SUCCESSFUL LANDING ON MOON’S SOUTH POLE
In a landmark moment for India’s space program, an Indian spacecraft has successfully touched down on the rugged and unexplored south pole of the moon. The mission, known as Chandrayaan-3, is considered crucial to lunar exploration and further solidifies India’s position as a player in space exploration. This achievement by India comes just days after a Russian lander crashed during its mission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was attending a BRICS summit in South Africa, expressed his joy and pride in India’s remarkable achievement. “This moment is unforgettable. It is phenomenal. This is a victory cry of a new India,” he said, proudly waving the Indian flag as he watched the landing.
India’s successful landing on the moon makes it the fourth nation, following the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union, to achieve this feat. The significance of this achievement is heightened due to the south pole’s rough terrain and the potential for valuable resources. The ice in this region holds the promise of providing essential resources such as fuel, oxygen, and drinking water for future missions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated India on its remarkable achievement, hailing it as a significant step forward in space exploration. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine also extended his congratulations and expressed his excitement about the collaborative opportunities ahead.
India’s successful landing on the moon’s south pole is not only a moment of national pride but also a significant stride in the global pursuit of space exploration. With this achievement, India proves its capability as a space power and ignites hope for further discoveries and advancements in lunar exploration.
Wow, this is a huge accomplishment for India’s space program! It’s amazing to see their dedication to lunar exploration and their desire to be a major space power.
This is a significant milestone not only for India but for the entire scientific community. It opens up endless possibilities for further research and advancements in lunar exploration.