India has made history by becoming the first country to successfully land on the South Pole of the lunar surface. Prime Minister Modi expressed his congratulations to the Indian people and space scientists for this remarkable achievement, stating that it is a day that India will always remember.
The mission faced its most critical test during the final phase of landing. Approximately 20 minutes prior to landing, ISRO initiated the Automatic Landing Sequence (ALS), allowing the Vikram LM to take control and utilize its onboard computers and logic to identify a suitable location for a soft landing on the lunar surface.
During the last 15 to 20 minutes of the mission, as the Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander descended for a soft landing, experts emphasized the significance of this crucial period for the mission’s success. People across India and around the world fervently prayed for the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3.
Enhancements in Chandrayaan-3: Improved Landing Precision and Advanced Instruments
Chandrayaan-3 has been improved compared to its predecessor. The landing zone has been expanded to 4.2 km in length and 2.5 km in width, providing a wider margin of error. Additionally, Chandrayaan-3 is equipped with four engines that have adjustable throttle and orientation, as well as a Laser Doppler Velocimeter to control altitude and orientation throughout the descent.
The instruments aboard the Vikram lander are more delicate compared to those present on the lunar surface.
The lunar rover on the Vikram lander, named Pragyan, has six wheels. It carries two special tools to study the rocks and soil on the moon: an Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer and a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope.
PM Modi speaks to scientists after successful landing
While attending the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Modi utilized live streaming to connect with ISRO’s mission center and witness the landing. Following the achievement of a successful soft landing, he delivered an address to the scientists, describing the moment as a representation of “New India’s new flight”.
Prime Minister Modi expressed that despite being in South Africa, he was emotionally invested in the Chandrayaan venture along with all Indians. He wholeheartedly extended his gratitude to ISRO and its dedicated scientists who tirelessly worked towards achieving this result over the years.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized that the success of the mission should be celebrated not only by Indians but by all of humanity. He highlighted the significance of this mission for future lunar endeavors, stating that it opens up possibilities for aspiring towards the Moon and even beyond.
President Commends ISRO’s Triumph in Chandrayaan-3 Moon Landing: A Pinnacle of National Pride
President Droupadi Murmu also extended her congratulations to ISRO scientists for the triumphant landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon, expressing that this is a significant moment that fills India with pride.
In a video message following her observance of the live broadcast of the lunar landing, the President remarked that the scientists have etched history by achieving the landing of Chandrayaan-3, a rare event that occurs once in a lifetime.
“I extend my congratulations to ISRO and all those engaged in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, and I hope for even greater accomplishments in the future,” she conveyed.
HAL Extends Congratulations to ISRO Team for Chandrayaan 3 Landing
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) extended their congratulations to Team ISRO for the remarkable achievement of making India the first nation to successfully land on the South Pole of the Moon. HAL expressed its pride in being associated with ISRO through its contribution of metallic and composite structures, propellant tanks, and Bus Structure for the rover and lander deployed in Chandrayaan-3. This collaboration demonstrates HAL’s unwavering dedication to the Indian Space Program, and the organization expressed gratitude to ISRO for providing the opportunity to be part of this prestigious mission.
Chandrayaan 3 Launch
Following its scheduled launch on July 14, 2023, at 2:35 pm IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India, Chandrayaan-3 successfully entered lunar orbit on August 5, 2023. The decision to launch Chandrayaan-3 in July was a strategic move by ISRO, taking into account calculations regarding the proximity of Earth and the Moon.
On August 5, the Indian Space Research Organisation accomplished a Lunar-Orbit Insertion (LOI) operation, successfully placing the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft into lunar orbit. This operation was conducted from the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) located in Bengaluru.
Following a sequence of Lunar Bound Maneuvers, on August 17, the Vikram lander detached from the propulsion module, marking the initiation of its final phase to land on the lunar surface.
On August 23, 2023, the lander and rover successfully touched down in the vicinity of the lunar south pole. This achievement marked India as the inaugural country to achieve a successful spacecraft landing near the lunar south pole and the fourth nation to accomplish a lunar landing.
