India Rejoices as Chandrayaan-3 Successfully Lands on Moon’s South Pole

In a monumental achievement for India’s space exploration endeavours, Chandrayaan-3, the third lunar mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), successfully executed a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole today at 6:04 PM local time. The world watched in awe as India became the first country to reach this challenging region of the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
'India🇮🇳,
I reached my destination
and you too!'
: Chandrayaan-3

Chandrayaan-3 has successfully
soft-landed on the moon 🌖!.

Congratulations, India🇮🇳!#Chandrayaan_3#Ch3

— ISRO (@isro) August 23, 2023

The historic event was accompanied by live telecasts and updates, building anticipation across the nation and around the globe.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation following the successful landing, stated, “No country has reached there (the South Pole of the moon) before. With the hard work of our scientists, we have reached there.” He hailed the achievement as a symbol of India’s progress and innovation.

Leaders from various sectors and regions joined in congratulating ISRO and the nation on this remarkable feat. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath celebrated the momentous occasion, and sweets were distributed at the Embassy of India in the United States in honor of the Chandrayaan-3’s success.

PM Modi, who was in South Africa for the BRICS Summit, connected to ISRO via video conferencing to witness the historic moment firsthand. The mood at ISRO’s Mission Operation Complex in Bengaluru was one of jubilation as the nation’s pride soared high.

Chandrayaan-3’s journey to this point was marked by meticulous planning and unwavering dedication from the ISRO team. The spacecraft underwent rigorous checks, and the mission was on schedule as the lander, named Vikram, began its descent.

The mission’s success was not without its challenges. Chandrayaan-3’s landing was a complex process that involved reducing its speed from over 6,000 km/hr to nearly zero, transitioning from horizontal to vertical orientation, and finally achieving a soft landing on the lunar surface.

Dr. Anand, a senior scientific officer at Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru, assured the public that all instruments on the lander were functioning as expected. He praised ISRO’s preparedness for the mission.

Chandrayaan-3’s success reflects India’s commitment to space exploration and engineering technology. The mission opens new horizons for lunar research and cements India’s position in the elite group of nations capable of reaching the Moon’s surface.

The achievement comes after lessons learned from Chandrayaan-2, where the lander’s connection was lost above 2 kilometers. ISRO’s dedication to improvement and determination to succeed have now borne fruit with Chandrayaan-3.

As the nation celebrates this historic milestone, it marks the dawn of a new era in India’s space exploration endeavors, inspiring the world with its commitment to scientific progress and innovation.