Two visitors hailing from India, a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan, successfully touched down in the southern polar region of the moon. This historic achievement, part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, establishes India as the first country to reach this particular part of the lunar surface intact, solidifying its place as the fourth nation to ever land on the moon.
Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), S. Somanath, proudly declared, “We have achieved a soft landing on the moon. India is on the moon.” India’s space program has already garnered immense pride from its citizens for orbiting the moon and Mars, as well as launching satellites with considerably fewer resources than other space-faring nations.
The accomplishment of Chandrayaan-3 holds even greater significance as India strengthens its diplomatic influence as an ambitious global power. Indian officials have been advocating for a multipolar world order that positions New Delhi as essential in finding global solutions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government emphasizes that a fairer world can be achieved if India assumes a leadership role while simultaneously addressing the basic needs of its population.
Prime Minister Modi, who is seeking re-election to a third term, has consistently demonstrated his support for India’s space missions. He physically accompanied previous launches and even consoled scientists during a failed moon landing attempt in 2019. However, during the Chandrayaan-3 landing, Mr. Modi was in South Africa for a meeting of BRICS nations. Nonetheless, his enthusiasm was palpable as his face appeared on screen in the mission control room during the final minutes of the landing.
Mr. Modi expressed his pride in the Indian achievement, stating, “Chandrayaan-3’s triumph mirrors the aspirations and capabilities of 1.4 billion Indians.” The landing provided a rare moment of unity in a country often marred by sectarian tensions. Prayers were offered in various religious places of worship, schools held special ceremonies, and millions of people watched the event on YouTube.
Chandrayaan-3, launched in July, took a cautious and fuel-efficient route to the moon. It surpassed its Russian counterpart, Luna-25, which encountered an engine malfunction and crashed just days before. India’s success over Russia, a country that previously achieved significant milestones in space exploration, underscores the diverging fortunes of their respective space programs.
While India has historically balanced relations with the United States and Russia, the country now faces an increasingly aggressive China as a major concern. The prolonged standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries in the Himalayas has heightened India’s vulnerability and strategic calculations. This shared frustration with China has fostered greater cooperation between the United States and India, including in the realm of space exploration.
With Chandrayaan-3’s triumph, Prime Minister Modi can leverage India’s scientific prowess to assert the nation’s interests on the global stage. The Indian Space Research Organization, in the aftermath of the successful landing, emphasized that the failure of the previous moon landing attempt served as a driving force behind their tireless efforts.
Chandrayaan-3, now in orbit around the moon, will conduct a scientific mission that takes advantage of a two-week period when sunlight will energize the solar-powered lander and rover. These instruments will measure thermal, seismic, and mineralogical data. India has many other ambitious plans lined up, including its first astronaut mission called Gaganyaan and the launch of the Aditya-L1 solar observatory. Collaboration with NASA for an Earth observation satellite is also on the horizon, as well as a follow-up mission to the successful Mars orbiter.
This moment is seen as a turning point for India, as it opens its space efforts to private investors after half a century of state monopoly. The country’s cost-effective missions showcase its technological prowess and unique capabilities in the global space arena.
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