Chandrayaan-3 mission : India makes history with successful soft-landing on Moon’s South Pole

In a historic achievement that places India among space giants like the United States, China, and the former USSR, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced a successful soft-landing of its Chandrayaan-3 lunar probe on the Moon’s south pole. Significantly, this makes India the first nation ever to accomplish a soft-landing near the Moon’s challenging southern region. The groundbreaking feat was telecast live, gripping the nation and the world at 6:04 pm, as audiences celebrated this colossal achievement in space exploration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the ISRO team for their remarkable success, stating the mission embodies India’s “one earth, one family, one future” philosophy. Modi witnessed this historic moment while on a tour of South Africa, proudly waving an Indian flag. This event, he noted, was a triumph not just for India but for all of humanity.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission began its monumental journey from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on July 14, successfully landing its Lander Module (LM), Vikram, on the Moon’s surface after 41 days of suspenseful anticipation. This victory is especially poignant, following the setback of the Chandrayaan-2 mission four years ago, where a similar attempt for a soft landing failed.

S. Somnath, the chief of ISRO, credited meticulous planning, innovation, and the combined effort of thousands of scientists, engineers, and support staff across India for the mission’s success. “India has effectively reached the Moon. Chandrayaan-3 stands as the outcome of collaborative efforts,” Somnath remarked in his first public statement after the landing. President Droupadi Murmu, Union ministers, chief ministers, and leaders from diverse sectors also lauded ISRO’s monumental accomplishment.

Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander Module is designed to operate for one lunar day (equivalent to 14 Earth days), during which it will deploy a rover for in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar terrain. Initial images from the landing site, released by ISRO, have already captivated scientists and space enthusiasts, providing valuable insights into the Moon’s complex geological history.

India’s space agency had previously announced successful communication links between Chandrayaan-3 and the Mission Operations Complex at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network in Bengaluru. With this achievement, India has set a new standard in lunar exploration, especially in navigating the Moon’s challenging polar regions.

This mission’s success is credited to ISRO’s relentless efforts and significant upgrades to Chandrayaan-3. Over four years, the agency has implemented crucial enhancements, most notably in Vikram’s landing gear, enabling it to withstand higher landing velocities. Additional upgrades include extra fuel for better maneuverability and a laser Doppler velocity meter for precise navigation data.

The Indian space community is already looking ahead, with Prime Minister Modi promising a personal visit to ISRO soon. This landmark achievement in the Chandrayaan-3 mission reaffirms India’s position as a leading player in space exploration and a pioneer in tackling the Moon’s unexplored regions.