Chandrayaan-3 Makes Historic Soft Landing Near Lunar South Pole

On August 23, 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a historic milestone with the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s surface. The spacecraft made a soft landing near the lunar South Pole, an unexplored region believed to contain water ice, making India the first nation in the world to achieve this feat.

The successful landing was confirmed at 6:04 pm IST, sparking celebrations across the country and marking India’s entry into an elite club of spacefaring nations that have executed soft lunar landings. With this achievement, India became the fourth country to land on the Moon, after the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission, launched on July 14, 2023, consisted of a lander module (Vikram) and a rover (Pragyan). The lander was engineered to execute a safe touchdown on the rugged lunar terrain, while the rover was designed to explore the Moon’s surface, conducting experiments and sending valuable scientific data back to Earth.

Scientists believe that the South Pole of the Moon holds immense potential for future space exploration, as its permanently shadowed craters may contain frozen water reserves. This resource could play a crucial role in supporting future lunar habitats and deep-space missions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who virtually joined the ISRO control room from South Africa during the BRICS Summit, hailed the landing as a “historic day for India’s space sector.” He added, “This moment is unforgettable and unprecedented, and it is the victory cry of a new India.”

Chandrayaan-3’s success also showcased ISRO’s resilience after the setback of Chandrayaan-2 in 2019, when its lander crashed during the final descent. Learning from that experience, ISRO refined its technologies and strategies, ensuring a flawless execution this time.

With Chandrayaan-3, India not only demonstrated its technological prowess but also inspired millions around the world, reinforcing its growing role in global space exploration. The mission has opened new possibilities for lunar science and strengthened India’s vision of becoming a major player in interplanetary research.