Chandrayaan-3 Pragyaan Rover Successfully Lands in Moon's South Pole

In a historic achievement, India's ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has successfully landed the Lander Module of Chandrayaan-3, its third lunar mission, on the surface of the Moon. 

The landing took place on August 23, 2023, marking India as the fourth country in the world to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface, following the former USSR, the U.S., and China. This landmark achievement also holds significance as India becomes the first country to land near the Moon's south pole.

The Lander Module was launched on July 14 and touched down on the lunar surface at 6.03 p.m. Precise coordination and execution led to euphoric celebrations at the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru.

A major milestone following the successful landing was the deployment of the Pragyan Rover, housed within the Vikram Lander. The rover is tasked with conducting in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface as it moves across the terrain. 

Both the Lander and the Rover are equipped with scientific payloads designed for various experiments during their mission duration of one lunar day, equivalent to approximately 14 Earth days.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team of ISRO scientists for their accomplishment and emphasized that this success was a global achievement. He highlighted the importance of a human-centric approach and unity in endeavors such as space exploration, stating that India's success in its moon mission resonates with the idea of a shared future for all of humanity.

As the Pragyan Rover rolls out onto the lunar surface, all eyes are now on its activities and findings. The rover's in-situ chemical analysis is expected to provide valuable insights into the composition of the Moon's surface in the south pole region.

This achievement underscores India's growing capabilities in space exploration and its contributions to scientific advancements on a global scale. 

The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3's Lander Module and the subsequent deployment of the Pragyan Rover mark significant steps forward in humanity's quest for knowledge beyond our planet.