Chandrayaan-3 has achieved a soft landing on the Moon’s South Pole, marking India as the first nation to reach this specific area. K Sivan, former ISRO chief, expressed his elation and stated that this success had been eagerly anticipated over the past four years. He noted that this achievement was not only meaningful to them but also to the entire nation.
K Sivan was the head of the Indian Space Research Organisation during the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019. While that mission had been partially successful, with the lander losing contact just 2.1 km from the surface and making a hard landing, the recent achievement of Chandrayaan-3’s soft landing was celebrated as a significant milestone. ISRO chief S Somanath exclaimed, “India is on the Moon,” upon the successful landing.
Sivan highlighted that the success of Chandrayaan-3 was not only significant for India but also for global scientific research. He explained that the scientific data gathered from this mission would contribute to discoveries worldwide, promoting collaboration among scientists internationally.
Former Professor RC Kapoor from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics expressed his profound excitement, considering the successful landing as a watershed moment. He emphasized that this achievement would stimulate research and exploration in the southern region of the Moon. Kapoor also proudly stated that India had joined the ranks of the world’s top space agencies.
As the Vikram lander completed its descent, ISRO headquarters erupted in applause. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attending the BRICS Summit, watched the live telecast and celebrated the successful landing with a smile and a wave of the Indian flag.
The Vikram lander’s approach to the Moon’s surface was meticulously described, marking a monumental step in India’s space endeavors. This accomplishment was the culmination of years of dedicated work by ISRO.
This achievement positioned India as the fourth country to successfully land on the Moon, following the US, China, and Russia. Notably, it was the first to land on the Moon’s southern side. Billions of people across India and the world eagerly watched this historic event, particularly after Russia’s recent spacecraft mishap.
In the lead-up to the soft landing, people from all walks of life prayed for the mission’s success. Special screenings were organized across the country, enabling widespread viewing of the event. ISRO provided live broadcasts on its website, YouTube channel, Facebook, and DD National TV.
Chandrayaan-3’s scheduled soft landing on August 23, 2023, was a culmination of meticulous planning. ISRO had shared close-up images of the Moon to aid the lander module’s precise positioning using an onboard reference map.
While lunar missions have traditionally focused on the equatorial region due to favorable conditions, the lunar south pole presents unique challenges. The spacecraft, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on July 14, used a GSLV Mark 3 heavy-lift launch vehicle. After a series of maneuvers, it was gradually brought closer to the Moon’s surface, eventually achieving the historic soft landing.
Also Read: Lt Governor congratulates JKPSC CCE-2022 Qualifiers
