In a historic feat, India has become the fourth nation to achieve a soft landing on the Moon's surface. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully touched down near the Moon's south pole on August 23, marking a significant milestone for the country. This achievement places India in an elite group alongside the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China.
The momentous landing occurred at 8:33 am ET (1233 GMT or 6:03 p.m. India Standard Time), as confirmed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Expressing his exhilaration, ISRO chairman Sreedhara Somanath announced, "We have achieved soft landing on the moon! India is on the moon!"
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a speech following the landing, highlighted the achievement's global significance: "This success belongs to all of humanity and it will help moon missions by other countries in the future. I'm confident that all countries in the world, including those from the global south, are capable of achieving such feats. We can all aspire to the moon and beyond."
After the successful landing, ISRO swiftly established a communication link between the spacecraft and mission control. The upcoming phase of the mission involves a solar-powered rover named Pragyan (meaning "wisdom" in Sanskrit) that is set to disembark from Chandrayaan-3's lander, Vikram ("valor"). Over the course of about 14 Earth days, known as a lunar day, this robotic pair will explore the Moon's south pole, collecting valuable scientific data about its composition and characteristics.
The journey to this achievement was a significant one, marked by innovation, perseverance, and learning from past experiences. Chandrayaan-3 was India's second attempt at landing near the Moon's south pole – an area of immense interest due to its potential water ice deposits. The first attempt, Chandrayaan-2 in September 2019, encountered a setback when its lander crashed due to a software glitch.
This time around, ISRO made several crucial adjustments. Chandrayaan-3 was launched on July 14 atop a LVM3 rocket, following years of design enhancements and software upgrades. After entering lunar orbit, the spacecraft underwent precise maneuvers to align with its target landing area. Notably, the lander's strategy was redefined to allow for more flexibility in its descent, while still ensuring a safe landing.
The successful outcome was made possible by key changes, including a larger designated landing zone, reinforced landing legs for better stability, and dynamic engines for smoother velocity adjustments. Additionally, high-quality images of the landing site provided by Chandrayaan-2's orbiter played a pivotal role in refining the mission plan.
As Vikram finds its resting place on the Moon's surface. This achievement not only showcases India's technological prowess but also contributes to humanity's understanding of the Moon and its potential resources.
Chandrayaan-3's success is not just a triumph for science and technology; it's also a symbol of inspiration for future generations. As Anil Bhardwaj, director of the Physical Research Laboratory in India, emphasized, "It is going to be a game changer for the new generation," driving youth to explore the frontiers of space and innovation.
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