India shares Moon landing video proof
The India Space Research Organization posted footage of its historical Moon landing on the X social platform. Many people doubted the country’s scientific breakthrough, so ISRO posted a photo of its space mission. Later, the space agency posted that two-minute video showing its spacecraft turning India into the fourth country on the Moon.
The India Moon landing shows the country’s scientific and economic progress. After all, space missions require vast amounts of wealth, expertise, and dedication to realize. Former US President John F. Kennedy said, “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
Hopefully, India’s story could inspire you and your nation to strive for more. Let’s discuss how it pulled off its Moon landing and cover how it celebrated this momentous occasion.
The India Moon landing journey
Here is how the Lander Imager Camera captured the moon's image just prior to touchdown. pic.twitter.com/PseUAxAB6G
— ISRO (@isro) August 24, 2023
India recently joined the United States, Russia, and China as one of the few countries to reach the stars. Yet, would you believe it cost less than the budget for the 2014 film “Interstellar?”
The Hollywood space thriller had a budget of $165 million. Conversely, Reuters says India’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft only needed $75 million or 6.15 billion rupees.
Funnily enough, calling India’s Moon lander the “Chandrayaan spacecraft” is redundant. The term Chandrayaan is Sanskrit for “spacecraft,” so it sounds like saying “spacecraft spacecraft.”
However, the India Moon landing journey was long and arduous, dating back to 2008. On October 22 that year, the country marked the first time it “touched” the lunar satellite.
Its Chandrayaan-1 craft entered a high elliptical orbit around Earth. “After 21 days, Chandrayaan-1 dropped into an elliptical orbit around the Moon, where it was 500 km from the Moon at the closest point and 10,000 km away at the farthest,” ISRO chair G Madhavan Nair said.
In 2019, India tried to stick a landing with Chandrayaan-2 but failed after it crashed. This year, it made another attempt, causing Indians to clasp their hands in prayer.
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Newsinfo Inquirer reported children gathered along the Ganga river, beseeching the gods for a safe landing. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also asked the gods to guide Chandrayaan.
He told reporters, “Not just economic, but India is achieving scientific and technological progress as well.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised ISRO staff to the heavens after their astounding achievement:
“The region that our mission will explore will help open new avenues for moon missions of other countries. This will not only unravel the mysteries of the Moon but also help in resolving the challenges of the Earth. I salute your hard work, patience, perseverance, and passion.”
How will India mark its milestone?
Prime Minister Modi visited the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network to meet the scientists behind the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Business Today India said he named the spacecraft’s landing point “Shiv Shakti.”
He told the space experts, “The point where the moon lander of Chandrayaan-3 landed will now be known as ‘Shiv Shakti.’ In Shiv, there is a resolution for the welfare of humanity, and Shakti gives us the strength to fulfill those resolutions.”
“This Shiv Shakti Point of the moon also gives a sense of connection with Himalaya to Kanyakumari,” Modi added. “Shiv Shakti” refers to two major Hindu deities, Shiva and the female trinity of Parvati, Durga, and Kali.
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The Prime Minister also said, “Shakti is our Nari Shakti,” which roughly translates to “women’s power.” It was his way of acknowledging the vital role of ISRO’s female scientists in the Chandrayaan-3’s success.
He also named the Chandrayaan-2’s landing point “Tiranga.” Modi said it will inspire India’s efforts and remind its people that failure is not the end. He remarked, “Success is a guarantee where there is a strong willpower.”
Conclusion
The 2023 India Moon Landing succeeded, ensuring the country’s legacy is inscribed in the stars. The nation’s flag will stand proud, serving as an interstellar guide to Indians toward progress.
Meanwhile, other countries work tirelessly to leave a mark on outer space. For example, the United States has been planning a Moon colony.
That is why NASA is preparing astronauts with the CHAPEA’s Mars-like environment. Learn more about the latest trends in space exploration and other innovations at Inquirer Tech.
