New Delhi, India – India made history on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, as its Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed near the Moon’s south pole. The lander, Vikram, touched down at 6:04 pm IST (12:34 pm UTC), making India the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface, after the United States, China, and Russia.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which was launched in 2019 but failed to land on the Moon. The new mission is equipped with a lander, a rover, and a propulsion module. The lander will deploy the rover, Pragyan, which will explore the lunar surface for the next two weeks.

The landing of Chandrayaan-3 is a major achievement for India’s space program and a significant step forward in the exploration of the Moon. The mission is expected to help scientists learn more about the Moon’s geology and its potential for resources.

“This is a historic moment for India and for our space program,” said Dr. S. Somnath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). “We are proud to have made this achievement possible.”

The landing of Chandrayaan-3 was watched live by millions of people in India, and it was hailed as a major national triumph. The mission is a source of pride for the Indian people and a testament to the country’s growing technological prowess.

The success of Chandrayaan-3 is also a boost for the global space community. It shows that India is a major player in the field of space exploration, and it inspires other countries to pursue their own lunar missions.

The future of lunar exploration is bright, and India is playing a leading role in this exciting new era. With Chandrayaan-3, India has made history and set the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come.

Here are some of the reactions to the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “History has been created today. India has made it to the south pole of the Moon. Heartiest congratulations to our scientists, engineers and the entire team at ISRO. This is a monumental achievement and a matter of great pride for every Indian.”
• NASA Chief Bill Nelson: “Congratulations to India on the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s south pole. This is a significant achievement for the Indian space program and for the global community. We are proud to have partnered with ISRO on this mission.”
• Former ISRO Chief K Sivan: “I am delighted to see the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3. This is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the ISRO team. I am confident that this mission will pave the way for further exploration of the Moon.”

The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 is a major milestone in India’s space program and a significant achievement for the global space community. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the ISRO team, and it inspires us to dream even bigger about the future of space exploration.