India became the first country to land any spacecraft on the uncharted territory of south polar region with the Chandrayaan-3 on August 23, 2023. To celebrate this special achievement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced observation of “National Space Day” every year on that day.
Human beings are different from other animals in multiple ways, one major thing is the ability to dream, think, systematic analysis, and implement. You might have come across a term ‘traditional knowledge’, which is originally based on scientific reasoning. Eventually, rapid progress in science and technology have been the strongest pillar for the development of human civilization. Since ancient times, Indians have been contributing in this field greatly.
The legacy of Indian scientists is inexplicable. Post-independence, India has excelled in engineering, space, and biotechnology. In this 21st century, India focused on space exploration on a grand level which generated succuss and gained appreciation from frontiers. On this national space day, we will discuss about India's triumph over Moon, a journey of decades to become a frontier in space research.
Credit - @isro X handle)
It was the first-ever Indian lunar probe, launched by the ISRO in October 2008. The mission included an orbiter and an impactor which operated till August 2009. India's stepping stone in moon exploration, Chandrayaan-1 “spacecraft orbited around the Moon at a height of 100 km from the lunar surface and provided chemical, mineralogical and photo-geologic mapping of the Moon,” according to ISRO website. Meanwhile, this mission gave an idea about presence of water molecules on lunar surface.
Credit - @isro X handle)
After the success of first mission, Indian scientists planned to explore lunar surface and atmosphere through Chandrayaan-2. Devloped by scientists in ISRO, this spacecraft was launched on July 22, 2019. Unfortunately, the lander crashed during landing on September 6, 2019. Meanwhile, this failure helped scientists for successful landing of Chandrayaan-3.
Undoubtedly, this is the greatest achievement in scientific field by Indian researchers. ISRO launched its third mission, Chandrayaan-3, to explore Moon on July 14, 2023.
"We have achieved soft landing, India is on the Moon" these words by chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), S Somnath on 23rd August, 2023 will go down in the history books.
India became the first nation to land on south pole of the Moon, undoubtedly, extraordinary is just an understatement what ISRO has achieved.
National Space Day - 2024
— ISRO (@isro) July 22, 2024
The historic landing of #Chandrayaan3 on the Moon is celebrated as National Space Day every year on August 23.
Dr. S. Somanath, Chairman, ISRO, invites all citizens to participate in these activities and join the nationwide celebrations.#NSpD2024 pic.twitter.com/odtAfy1yTc
Credit - @isro X handle)
Chandrayaan-3 mission performed various scientific discoveries, like confirming the occurrence of sulfur on the Moon and developing the first temperature-depth profile of the south polar region in the Moon.
This massive feat was not only a testament to ISRO's capabilities but also a ray of hope for a nation that has long aspired to become the part of elite club in space exploration. It was a culmination of extensive planning and implementation, making India as only the fourth country to achieve the soft landing on the Lunar surface, followed by the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.
Laurie Leshin, Director of National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, lauded the effort of ISRO: "We are so impressed with Chandrayaan-3 and the future plans for Indian space exploration, and we look forward to having many more partnerships between NASA and ISRO. The respect for India's space programme - it was already very high because India has accomplished so much in space - but now it's off the charts.”
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
— ISRO (@isro) August 26, 2023
🔍What's new here?
Pragyan rover roams around Shiv Shakti Point in pursuit of lunar secrets at the South Pole 🌗! pic.twitter.com/1g5gQsgrjM
Credit - @isro X handle)
Over the last decade, India has also excelled in the startup environment by developing technologies and promoting multidisciplinary activities. ISRO chief S Somanath confirmed the launch of Chandrayaan-4 in 2028. ISRO's groundbreaking efforts remind us that the space exploration is not just a frontier for the few but a it's definitely a domain of possibilities for the humanity.
On this special day, we must acknowledge the contribution of Indian space scientists who have been making our lives better everyday.
