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In a remarkable display of international collaboration and space exploration, the United Kingdom Space Agency has extended heartfelt congratulations to India for the triumphant soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon. Professor Anu Ojha OBE, Director of Championing Space at the UK Space Agency, praised India’s achievement and highlighted the significance of Chandrayaan-3’s successful touchdown in the southern polar region of the lunar surface. This accomplishment, he emphasized, signals the advent of a new era in space exploration, with space agencies and organizations around the globe directing their focus towards lunar exploration and beyond.
“Kudos to India for this remarkable feat of engineering and resilience. The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 in the southern polar region of the Moon reaffirms our presence in an exciting new space age. International space agencies and enterprises are setting their sights on the Moon and further horizons,” stated Anu Ojha OBE.
He further expounded, “The ongoing missions are pioneering uncharted territories. These ventures are centered around significant scientific revelations, particularly related to the presence of water on the lunar surface. This discovery holds the potential to sustain prolonged human habitation and work on the Moon.”
Anu Ojha also underscored the UK Space Agency’s dedication to supporting these global initiatives and incorporating British science and technology into these groundbreaking explorations.
Profound Implications of Lunar Landing
“At the UK Space Agency, we wholeheartedly commit to contribute to these global endeavors by channeling British scientific expertise and technological innovation into some of the most remarkable global exploration missions. This endeavor stands to benefit not only our planet but also its inhabitants,” he affirmed.
The UK Space Agency also conveyed its felicitations to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the achievement of Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing.
The journey of Chandrayaan-3 commenced with its launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on July 14. On August 5, ISRO inserted the spacecraft into lunar orbit using a GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle for propulsion. A sequence of orbital maneuvers meticulously navigated the spacecraft closer to the Moon’s surface.
Throughout its journey, ISRO consistently reported the spacecraft’s health to be “normal.” On August 17, a significant milestone was reached as the ‘Vikram’ lander module successfully detached from the propulsion module. Named in honor of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, a trailblazing figure in India’s space endeavors, the lander underwent controlled deboosting maneuvers to position itself in an orbit for a closer approach to the lunar surface.
History made! 🇮🇳🌖
Congratulations to @isro 👏#Chandrayaan3 https://t.co/6bPUfA3yXy
— UK Space Agency (@spacegovuk) August 23, 2023
Chandrayaan-3’s objectives encompassed a gentle and secure landing on the Moon, deployment of a rover on its surface, and conducting on-site scientific experiments. Upon landing, a single lunar day, equivalent to 14 Earth days, was the slated duration for the functioning of both the lander and rover.
While the COVID-19 pandemic introduced unforeseen delays to Chandrayaan-3’s development, the mission persisted. The approved budget for Chandrayaan-3 stands at ₹ 250 crores, excluding launch expenses.
Under the visionary principles of its founder Vikram Sarabhai, ISRO guided India’s resolute commitment to harnessing advanced technologies for addressing societal challenges, prominently highlighting its dedication. Under his guidance, the establishment of ISRO not only underscored but also solidified the pivotal significance of space programs within developing nations. This enduring legacy persistently serves as a wellspring of inspiration, propelling and energizing India’s unwavering pursuit of advancements in space exploration.
