India becomes first country to land spacecraft near Moon’s south pole

India successfully landed its spacecraft, Chandrayaan-3, near the Moon’s south pole, becoming the first country to achieve this milestone. The landing occurred after Russia’s attempt, Luna-25, ended in failure due to an engine malfunction.

1. The spacecraft carries a rover named Pragyan, which will analyze the chemical composition of the moon’s surface and search for water over the course of one lunar day, equivalent to 14 days on Earth. India now joins China as the only countries with operating rovers on the moon.
2. The successful landing enhances India’s prestige in the global space race, following a setback from a failed moon mission in 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to strengthen India’s position among the world’s space-faring nations and has signed the Artemis Accords, a US-backed initiative for joint missions and civilian space exploration.
3. The event garnered significant attention, with people eagerly awaiting the historic moment. Schools in India and around the world encouraged students to watch the live event, and prayers were held in mosques and temples for a successful landing.
4. Shares of Indian space-sector companies experienced a rally, adding over $2.5 billion in market value during the week, indicating the positive impact of the achievement on the industry.
5. The presence of water ice in the moon’s south pole has attracted the interest of countries engaged in space exploration, including the US and China. It is seen as a valuable resource for drinking, breathing, and rocket fuel, enabling further human space exploration within the solar system.
6. India has upcoming space missions planned, including the Aditya L1 mission for detailed solar study and a future Venus mission. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability through the Gaganyaan mission, which will send crew members into orbit for three days before safely returning to Earth. Additionally, India has collaborations with NASA and Japan for future moon missions and participation in the International Space Station.