INDIA’S space agency, ISRO, achieved a historic milestone by successfully soft-landing the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the Moon’s south pole.
This achievement, marking India as the first nation to do so, holds immense significance for space exploration.
The lander, Vikram, detached from its propulsion module last week and has been sending lunar surface images since entering orbit on August 5.
Its rover, Pragyaan, has now begun exploration, transmitting data and images during its two-week operational span.
Pragyaan reportedly ramped down from the lander and took a walk on the moon, as said by the Indian space agency.
The successful landing, accomplished with a budget of $74.58 million, underscores India’s cost-effective approach to space endeavors.
This feat places India in a handful of lunar explorers alongside the US, Russia, and China.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed it a triumph for humanity, while global figures like Elon Musk praised the achievement.
The soft-landing of Chandrayaan-3 happened while BRICS leaders were in South Africa for a summit, Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and his in-person representative Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, congratulated Modi for the historic event.
ISRO’s future plans include crewed missions, joint ventures with Japan, and an orbital mission to Venus within two years.
