Chandrayaan-3 Spacecraft Achieves Historic Moon Landing, Symbolizing India's Triumph

 

BENGALURU, Aug 23 - A momentous achievement unfolded on Wednesday as an Indian spacecraft made an unprecedented touchdown on the rugged and uncharted southern extremity of the moon. This landmark mission is regarded as pivotal for lunar exploration and India's assertion as a formidable space contender. The achievement comes mere days after a Russian lander of similar intent met with a catastrophic crash. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was at a BRICS summit in South Africa, exclaimed, "This juncture is etched in memory—an exceptional feat. It's the triumphant anthem of a new India." Modi, proudly waving the Indian flag, watched the event unfold from afar.

Across India, a cacophony of cheers, applause, and embraces filled the air as scientists and officials witnessed the spacecraft's flawless descent. The joy was palpable, as firecrackers illuminated the skies and spontaneous dance erupted on the streets.

S. Somanath, head of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), jubilantly declared, "India has reached the moon!" With this achievement, India becomes the fourth nation to gracefully land a spacecraft on the moon, following the footsteps of the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union.

ISRO generously shared images captured by the spacecraft, unveiling the moon's surface along with the telltale leg and shadow of the successful lander.

The south pole's intricate landscape posed formidable challenges, yet this daring venture might unlock future resources. Among these, the moon's icy terrains could yield precious fuel, oxygen, and potable water for upcoming missions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended felicitations to India through a Kremlin website message. He remarked, "This stride marks an astronomical leap and a testimony to India's exceptional strides in science and technology."

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson also applauded ISRO's achievement, stating on the platform X (formerly Twitter), "Congratulations to India for becoming the 4th nation to softly alight a spacecraft on the lunar surface. We stand as your partners in this quest!"

This successful endeavor was India's second endeavor at lunar touchdown and transpired in the aftermath of Russia's Luna-25 mission misfortune. Throughout the nation, citizens were riveted to their screens, offering prayers as the spacecraft neared its destination.

People perform "havan" (traditional Hindu fire ritual) as part of a special prayer for the safe landing of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the moon, in New Delhi, India, August 23, 2023. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Approximately 7 million individuals were captivated by the live YouTube broadcast.

 People watch a live stream of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft's landing on the moon, inside an auditorium of Gujarat Science City in Ahmedabad, India, August 23, 2023. REUTERS/Amit Dave

In Hindi and Sanskrit, "Chandrayaan" signifies "moon vehicle." In 2019, ISRO's Chandrayaan-2 mission triumphantly dispatched an orbiter, albeit with a subsequent lander crash.

Predictably, Chandrayaan-3 is slated to operate for a fortnight, embarking on a series of experiments, including a spectroscopic analysis of lunar surface minerals.

According to Somanath, the moon rover will eventually emerge from the spacecraft, a process anticipated to span several hours or a day. This remarkable feat invigorates India's aspirations, spurring contemplation of missions destined for Mars and Venus.

Concurrently, India is primed to launch a solar observation mission in September, Somanath disclosed. Notably, preparations for human space exploration are well underway and, though a formal date remains elusive, expectations point to readiness by 2024.

The mission's accomplishment augments India's standing in the domain of budget-efficient space engineering. Chandrayaan-3's launch carried a price tag of approximately 6.15 billion rupees ($74 million), a sum dwarfed by the budget for the 2013 Hollywood cinematic spectacle "Gravity."

Carla Filotico, a partner and managing director at SpaceTec Partners, elucidated the significance: "Touching down on the south pole facilitates potential discoveries of lunar water ice—an invaluable asset for comprehensive geological insights about the moon."

Eager anticipation encapsulated the nation as headlines across newspapers and television screens broadcasted countdowns to the historic landing.

Prayers reverberated across religious institutions, with schoolchildren waving the Indian tricolor while awaiting live broadcasts of the momentous event.

On the banks of the sacred Ganga River, children gathered in prayer while mosques reverberated with invocations for a secure landing.

In New Delhi, at a Sikh temple known as a gurdwara, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri too joined in prayer, sharing, "India's progress is multifaceted, embracing scientific and technological feats alongside economic growth."