In a groundbreaking achievement, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully executed a soft landing on the moon, positioning India as the fourth country to achieve this remarkable feat. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) shared awe-inspiring images and videos capturing the historic moment when the rover Pragyan began its exploration of the lunar surface.
After a suspenseful wait, Chandrayaan-3’s lander, Vikram, touched down on the moon’s surface at precisely 6.04 pm on Wednesday, a moment that the nation had eagerly awaited. The successful landing was accompanied by breathtaking selfies and videos captured by Vikram, depicting the rover Pragyan’s gradual rollout onto the moon’s terrain.
One of the most captivating visuals shared by ISRO was a color video of Pragyan’s delicate descent from Vikram to the lunar surface. The video showcased the rover’s careful progression, providing a firsthand view of its snail-paced journey. The accompanying tweet from ISRO exclaimed, “… and here is how the Chandrayaan-3 Rover ramped down from the Lander to the Lunar surface.”
The images and video also revealed the unique perspective of the lunar landscape, with the Pragyan rover’s solar panel basking in sunlight and casting a graceful shadow upon the lunar terrain. This mesmerizing imagery underscored the immense progress made by India in space exploration and technology.
Chandrayaan-3’s triumph is even more exceptional due to its landing site – the moon’s South Pole. Unlike previous missions that targeted the equatorial region, this mission dared to venture into a challenging area laden with craters and deep trenches. The successful landing in this rugged terrain positions Pragyan to embark on a groundbreaking moonwalk.
With Vikram’s landing in a relatively flat region, the Pragyan rover is expected to have ample opportunities to conduct its scientific experiments. The moon’s unique conditions provide a platform for the rover to carry out research that could reshape our understanding of lunar water ice, a resource of immense potential value.
The location where Vikram touched down is expected to experience sunlight for the next 14 days. Already, the rover has initiated a series of scientific experiments that promise to uncover vital insights about the moon’s composition and its geological history.
The nation is abuzz with excitement as India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is scheduled to visit ISRO’s headquarters on Friday. Anticipating his visit, ISRO is poised to share even more remarkable media, underscoring the significance of Chandrayaan-3’s success and the remarkable accomplishments of India’s space program.
Chandrayaan-3’s triumphant soft landing on the moon and the subsequent release of captivating images and videos stand as a testament to India’s growing prowess in space exploration. As the nation celebrates this remarkable achievement, eyes are turned toward the ongoing scientific endeavors that promise to unlock new horizons of knowledge and pave the way for future space missions.
Sources By Agencies