Celebrations echoed through India as the nation achieved a remarkable feat in lunar exploration, successfully landing Chandrayaan-3 on the moon’s uncharted south face. President Droupadi Murmu extended her congratulations to the dedicated ISRO scientists who spearheaded this achievement.
India’s entry into the exclusive lunar landing club, comprising the US, Russia, and China, was marked by the first-ever landing on the moon’s southern hemisphere. The triumph saw the Pragyan rover disembarking from the Vikram lander to explore the enigmatic lunar terrain.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), President Murmu expressed her joy, stating, “I once again congratulate the ISRO team and all fellow citizens for the successful deployment of Pragyan-rover from inside Vikram-lander. Its rolling out a few hours after the landing of Vikram marked the success of yet another stage of Chandrayaan 3.”
Eagerly looking ahead, she shared her anticipation for the wealth of knowledge that Pragyan will gather, enriching humanity’s comprehension of the moon’s mysteries.
The momentous lunar triumph closely followed the unfortunate Russian lander incident as Luna-25 crashed during its descent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, participating virtually in the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, experienced the nail-biting final moments leading up to the Vikram lander’s touchdown. The Prime Minister’s joyous expression and the waving of the national flag encapsulated the nation’s pride.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had consistently released detailed moon images, aiding the lander in its navigation through a moon reference map, guiding it to its precise location in terms of latitude and longitude.
Chandrayaan-3’s journey commenced with the launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on July 14. Powered by a GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle, the spacecraft was strategically maneuvered through a series of orbital adjustments, steadily descending towards the moon’s surface.
ISRO ensured Chandrayaan-3’s health remained optimal since its July 14 launch. By August 5, it had successfully entered lunar orbit, masterfully executing vital maneuvers.
As the nation celebrated this historic achievement, India’s trailblazing voyage into lunar exploration promises to unravel the moon’s mysteries and enrich humanity’s understanding of our celestial neighbor.
