Chandrayaan-3: A Historic Leap for India and a Dance of Triumph

Chandrayaan-3: A Historic Leap for India and a Dance of Triumph

On August 23, 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a historic feat. Chandrayaan-3, India’s lunar probe, successfully landed on the Moon’s south pole region. This marked India as the first nation to reach this unexplored area of the Moon.

The Journey to the South Pole

The voyage began on July 14, 2023, when the launch vehicle LVM-3 sent Chandrayaan-3 on a 384,000km journey from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The spacecraft orbited Earth several times to gain speed before embarking on its month-long lunar trajectory.

After a series of orbit reduction maneuvers, Chandrayaan-3 was placed into an orbit inching it closer to its final landing. On August 17, the lander separated from the propulsion module and slowed to place itself in an orbit where it was ready for landing.

The Historic Landing

The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 has not only opened new frontiers in space exploration but also consolidated India’s position in future international lunar missions. The rover Pragyan will perform a raft of experiments, including a spectrometer analysis of the mineral and chemical composition of the Moon’s surface. It hopes to confirm the presence of water ice in the region, which could supply oxygen, fuel, and drinking water for future space exploration.

A Dance of Triumph

In the wake of this monumental achievement, an old video of ISRO chief S Somanath has resurfaced on the internet. In this video, Somanath is seen dancing with his colleagues. Although it was initially believed that this video was recorded during a post-landing party for Chandrayaan-3, it was later clarified that this was an old video.

Regardless of when the video was recorded, it serves as a testament to the joy and pride that ISRO’s achievements bring to its team. It is a reminder that behind every scientific achievement lies a team of dedicated individuals who pour their heart and soul into their work.

Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing is not just a victory for ISRO or India; it is a victory for scientific exploration and human curiosity. As we continue to explore the cosmos, we look forward to more such moments of triumph and celebration.