Chandrayaan-3 Success: ISRO Chief Somanath Attributes Achievement to a Generation’s Effort
The recent success of India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has been hailed as a remarkable achievement by the Chairman of ISRO, S Somanath. The culmination of this ambitious endeavour was witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who commended the dedicated efforts of the scientists involved. Somanath expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s support and encouragement, which he referred to as a comforting affirmation of their pursuit of national excellence.
During his address at the Mission Operations Complex, Somanath acknowledged the contribution of past leadership and scientists within ISRO. He particularly mentioned A S Kiran Kumar, the former chief of the space agency, and other veterans who provided valuable guidance and expertise. Their involvement in reviewing and ensuring the mission’s precision played a pivotal role in its success.
On the historic day, ISRO achieved a significant milestone by successfully landing Chandrayaan-3’s Lander Module on the lunar surface. This accomplishment marked India as the fourth country to achieve such a feat and the first to reach the previously unexplored south pole of the Moon. The Lander Module, composed of the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover weighing 26 kg, executed a gentle landing near the Moon’s south polar region.
Somanath emphasized that the triumphant outcome was the result of the collective efforts of generations of ISRO’s leaders and scientists. He traced the journey back to Chandrayaan-1, India’s initial step into lunar exploration, followed by the progress made with Chandrayaan-2. He also highlighted the continued operational success of Chandrayaan-2’s craft, which has been actively engaged in communication tasks. He urged everyone to remember and express gratitude to the teams that contributed to the earlier missions as they celebrated Chandrayaan-3’s achievement.
The Chairman described the achievement as incremental progress, highlighting the substantial advancements made from one mission to the next. He underlined that while Chandrayaan-3 stands as a significant leap forward, it is built upon the foundation of prior missions, showcasing ISRO’s commitment to continuous growth and innovation.
The successful landing on the Moon’s surface not only underscores ISRO’s technical prowess but also demonstrates India’s dedication to space exploration. The praise and recognition received from the Prime Minister further validate the agency’s efforts in pushing the boundaries of scientific and technological achievement. Somanath expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the prayers and well-wishes extended by numerous individuals who were eagerly awaiting the mission’s success.