India Achieves Unprecedented Landing Near Moon’s South Pole, Joining Elite Space Nations

India has marked its presence in history by being the first nation to achieve a landing near the unexplored south pole of the moon on Wednesday. This significant event not only heralds the possibility of discovering vital frozen water reserves but also showcases India’s technological prowess among the world’s most populous countries.

Following a 2019 attempt that ended in failure, India has joined the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, and China, becoming the fourth country to accomplish this feat. The spacecraft, carrying a rover inside, made contact with the lunar surface at 6:04 p.m. local time, triggering widespread celebrations throughout India, particularly in the southern city of Bengaluru, where the landing was met with jubilant applause by space scientists.

Children in schools across the country, including Guwahati, joyously celebrated the successful touchdown of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023.

This mission underlines India’s ascendancy as a technological and space superpower and aligns with the image Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishes to convey – a rising nation asserting its rightful place among the world’s elite.

“India is now on the moon. India has reached the south pole of the moon — a feat no other country has accomplished. We are witnessing history,” proclaimed Modi, waving the Indian tri-colored flag while observing the landing from South Africa at the BRICS nations summit.

The lunar rover is expected to exit the lander within a day to carry out various experiments, including analyzing the mineral composition of the lunar surface, according to S. Somnath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The mission, costing an estimated $75 million and initiated over a month ago, is set to continue for two more weeks. A manned lunar mission is India’s next aspiration.

The successful landing comes as a triumphant milestone for nuclear-armed India, the world’s fifth-largest economy as of last year. It is likely to bolster Modi’s popularity, especially with a crucial general election on the horizon.

This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it follows the recent failure of Russia’s Luna-25, targeting the same lunar region, which crashed due to an uncontrolled orbit. This would have been Russia’s first successful lunar landing after a hiatus of 47 years.

Throughout India, the mission’s success was fervently observed and celebrated. Prayers were offered for the mission’s triumph at various religious sites, including Varanasi, one of India’s holiest cities.

Global accolades poured in, solidifying India’s status as a contemporary space power. Commendations included words of admiration from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, the European Space Agency’s director general, and Thomas Zurbuchen, a prominent space scientist.

India’s Chandrayaan-3, translating to “moon craft” in Sanskrit, commenced its journey from Sriharikota, southern India on July 14.

The moon’s south pole region is of great interest to various nations and private entities due to the possibility of frozen water in permanently shadowed craters. This water could be used for drinking or even creating rocket fuel for future astronaut missions.

The six-wheeled lander and rover module of Chandrayaan-3 is tasked with providing invaluable data on lunar soil and rocks, including their chemical and elemental composition.

This success follows India’s previous unsuccessful attempt in 2019, which crashed during its final descent due to a software error. That $140-million mission aimed to study moon craters thought to contain water deposits, previously confirmed by India’s Chandrayaan-1 mission in 2008.

India’s space program has been progressively advancing since the 1960s. With achievements such as satellite launches for various countries and the 2014 Mars orbit, India is also planning a mission to the International Space Station in collaboration with the United States next year.

This anticipation was heightened after Russia’s failed attempt, and as regional rival China reaches for new space milestones. The race to the lunar surface is heating up globally, with numerous countries and private companies vying for success, including Japan and two U.S. firms planning lunar landings this year.

The success of Chandrayaan-3 has resonated across India, symbolized by celebrations from Mumbai to Hyderabad to New Delhi. Pallava Bagla, a science writer, emphasized that lessons from the failed 2019 mission were applied to ensure a flawless execution on Wednesday.

He noted: “Indians didn’t get derailed. They continued the journey with strength and confidence that paid off.” This monumental achievement underscores India’s resolute commitment to space exploration and its emerging position on the global stage.

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• India’s Chandrayaan-3 Mission
• NASA’s Overview of Moon Landings
• ISRO’s Future Space Exploration Plans
• Russia’s Luna-25 Mission Failure
• India’s Previous Lunar Mission Attempt