India Successfully Lands Chandrayaan-3 Mission on Moon’s Unexplored South Pole
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India Successfully Lands Chandrayaan-3 Mission on Moon’s South Pole
India achieved a remarkable milestone in space exploration as its Chandrayaan-3 mission safely landed on the unexplored south pole of the moon. The spacecraft was launched last month and successfully touched down on the lunar surface around 8:34 a.m. ET. This makes India the fourth country, following Russia, the U.S., and China, to land on the moon and the first to land on one of its lunar poles.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi watched the live stream of the landing from the 15th BRICS summit in South Africa. During the ISRO webcast of the event, Modi emphasized that this achievement belongs to all of humanity and encouraged everyone to aspire for the moon and beyond.
Importance of the Lunar South Pole
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The lunar south pole has gained significant interest due to recent discoveries of water ice on the moon. In a previous attempt in September 2019, India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission failed to land on the south pole due to a software failure. Wendy Cobb, a professor at the U.S. Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, highlighted the potential of the south pole as a base for future exploration. The presence of water on the moon’s south pole could also serve as a valuable resource for fueling rockets and spacecraft.
India’s Growing Influence in Space
India is increasingly recognized as a major player in space geopolitics. During his visit to the U.S. in June, Prime Minister Modi signed agreements with President Joe Biden, including joining the Artemis Accords and enhancing collaboration between ISRO and NASA. The two space agencies are expected to work together to send Indian astronauts to the International Space Station in the coming years.
Despite having a significantly smaller budget compared to NASA, ISRO has achieved remarkable feats. The estimated cost of the Chandrayaan-3 mission was approximately $75 million, showcasing India’s ability to accomplish more with limited resources. The mission was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but ultimately succeeded in landing on the moon.
