Chandrayaan-3’s Remarkable Milestone Unveiled by Dr. Jitendra Singh: Global Implications Await

By TFP Bureau New Delhi, August 18, 2023:In a pivotal moment that resonates with space exploration enthusiasts across the globe, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, recently addressed the media following yet another triumphant advancement in India’s space journey. The Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a historic feat as the “Vikram” lander module gracefully detached from its propulsion module, carrying with it the Pragyan rover, marking another stride toward lunar exploration excellence.

Dr. Singh’s remarks underscored the transformative nature of Chandrayaan-3’s discoveries, asserting that the exclusive findings and inputs from this mission will redound to the benefit of the entire global community. Notably, Chandrayaan-3 has positioned India on the precipice of becoming the fourth nation in history to achieve such a feat, following the pioneering efforts of the United States, Russia, and China. A defining distinction, however, rests with India as the solitary nation poised to touch down on the lunar South Pole.

In his address, Dr. Singh eloquently highlighted the significance of India’s contributions to lunar exploration. He recounted the era when the United States and the erstwhile USSR embarked on their celestial expeditions, with the U.S. achieving the groundbreaking feat of landing a human on the moon’s surface in 1969. However, Dr. Singh pointed out that it was Chandrayaan, India’s very own lunar mission, that captured the world’s imagination by revealing images of water on the moon’s surface. This revelation not only astonished the global community but also catalyzed scientific inquiries into long-held lunar mysteries.

Furthermore, he expressed his confidence in the upcoming milestone of Chandrayaan-3’s safe landing, slated for August 23, 2023, between 5:30 to 6:00 PM. He emphasized the global anticipation surrounding this momentous event, as people from all walks of life anxiously await the final outcome.

Chandrayaan-3, Dr. Singh explained, is an evolutionary progression from its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2. Designed to showcase India’s prowess in soft landing and roving on the moon’s surface, the complex mission profile demanded meticulous execution to insert the spacecraft into lunar orbit. Once Chandrayaan-3 successfully touches down on the moon’s surface, the rover, equipped with six wheels and a suite of cameras, is poised to operate for a span of 14 days, sending back invaluable images from the lunar frontier.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Dr. Singh attributed the enabling environment for India’s space endeavors to his visionary leadership. He noted groundbreaking decisions, including the opening up of the space sector for Public-Private Partnership (PPP), as catalysts for future growth. In fact, Dr. Singh envisioned India’s burgeoning space sector potentially maturing into a 1 trillion US Dollar economy in the years to come.

Delving into Chandrayaan-3’s core objectives, he delineated a trifecta: to demonstrate safe and soft landing on the lunar surface, showcase rover mobility on the moon, and conduct in-situ scientific experiments. Drawing on the legacy of Chandrayaan-1, the mission that unearthed the presence of water on the lunar surface, Dr. Singh underscored that Chandrayaan-3 operates on an elevated plane of exploration. Its launch vehicle, Mark-3, designed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), underscores the nation’s commitment to cutting-edge technology.

Chandrayaan-3 embarked on its journey on July 14, 2023, propelled by the GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The successful launch heralds a new chapter in India’s indomitable pursuit of space exploration.

As the countdown to the Chandrayaan-3 landing intensifies, the world awaits this transformative event that promises to reshape our understanding of the cosmos, unraveling mysteries that have captivated humanity for generations. The echoes of India’s scientific ingenuity are poised to resound across continents, reinforcing the nation’s formidable stature in the global space fraternity.