Modi Lauds India's Lunar Triumph: Chandrayaan 3 Landing Celebrated from Johannesburg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to India following the successful touchdown of Chandrayaan 3's Vikram lander on the Moon's South Pole. In his virtual address to ISRO scientists from Johannesburg, South Africa, Modi declared, "This historic achievement signals the dawn of an advanced India." He also praised the ISRO team and posted on X, "A historic day for India's space sector. Congratulations to @isro for the remarkable success of Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission." The premier emphasized India's pioneering role in landing at the lunar south pole, highlighting how this feat will redefine lunar narratives. He noted, "Though I'm in South Africa, my heart has always been with the Chandrayaan mission."

At precisely 6:04 local time, the Vikram lander's lunar touchdown evoked cheers and applause among Bengaluru's space scientists. This success follows an unsuccessful attempt nearly four years ago, solidifying India's position as the first nation to achieve a landing near the relatively unexplored southern lunar region, alongside the United States, Soviet Union, and China.

Launched on July 14, the Chandrayaan 3 mission embarked on a 41-day journey aboard the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-3) rocket to approach the lunar south pole.

The Vikram lander's soft landing occurred just days after Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft crashed into the Moon due to loss of control.

Weighing 1,752 kg, the lander and the six-wheeled rover are engineered for a single lunar daylight period, approximately 14 Earth days. The lander boasts four legs equipped with numerous sensors, including accelerometers, altimeters, Doppler velocimeters, inclinometers, touchdown sensors, and a suite of cameras for hazard avoidance and positional awareness.