Context: India achieved a momentous feat by successfully landing Chandrayaan-3’s lander module and rover on the moon’s surface, joining a select group of countries that have accomplished lunar landings.

• India achieved a successful lunar landing with Chandrayaan-3’s lander module and rover on the moon’s surface at 6.03 p.m.

Joining Elite Lunar Achievers

• India now stands among the exclusive countries that have accomplished lunar landings: the United States, Russia, and China.

• India’s achievement is notable for being the first successful landing on the moon’s polar region.

Confident Soft Landing

• ISRO Chairman S. Somanath confirmed a soft landing with most nominal landing conditions fulfilled.

• Lander’s velocity during touchdown was under 2 metres per second, ensuring the lander’s health for planned experiments.

Anticipation for Experiments

• Mr. Somanath expressed excitement for the upcoming 14 days, expecting successful execution of planned experiments and rover deployment.

• Pragyan rover’s deployment is a highlight of the next phase.

Communication Link Establishment

• A communication link was established between the lander and MOX-ISTRAC, Bengaluru, facilitating data exchange and control.

Human-Centric Approach

• The mission’s success resonates globally with the motto ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’

• This approach garnered universal support, aligning with India’s lunar mission philosophy.

Global Inspiration and Collaboration

• Success is seen as a triumph for all humanity, inspiring other countries in space exploration.

• Opens doors for global cooperation and collaboration in space research.

Reaching the Lunar South Pole

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the accomplishment of reaching the moon’s South Pole, highlighting India’s scientists’ dedication and talent.

Rover’s Scientific Objectives

• Deployed rover will conduct in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface during mobility.

• Equipped with scientific payloads to perform experiments, contributing to lunar research.

Chandrayaan-3 Mission Overview

• Launched on July 14 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

• Comprises indigenous lander module, propulsion module, and rover.

• Objectives include demonstrating safe landings, rover mobility, and conducting scientific experiments.

Comparison with Russian Luna-25

• Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing contrasts with Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft, which crashed into the moon due to loss of control.

Road Ahead

• India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission marked a historic achievement as the lander and rover softly touched down on the moon’s surface. India now stands with the United States, Russia, and China in the elite circle of lunar achievers. The successful landing showcases India’s scientific prowess and sets the stage for further exploration and global collaboration in space research.