On August 23, 2023, India made history when the Chandrayaan-3 lander Vikram successfully touched down near the Moon's south pole, making India the first country to achieve this feat and only the fourth nation to soft-land on the Moon.
The Mission
Chandrayaan-3 was launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota aboard the LVM3 rocket. The mission consisted of a lander (Vikram), a rover (Pragyan), and a propulsion module.
Historic Landing
The Vikram lander touched down at 6:04 PM IST on August 23, 2023, near the south polar region of the Moon at approximately 69.37°S, 32.35°E. This made India the first country to land near the lunar south pole, a region of immense scientific interest.
Pragyan Rover Discoveries
The Pragyan rover traveled about 100 meters on the lunar surface, conducting experiments and finding evidence of sulfur, iron, oxygen, and other elements. It confirmed the presence of sulfur on the lunar south pole for the first time.
Global Recognition
The success led to worldwide admiration. The landing site was named "Shiv Shakti Point" by PM Modi. India's achievement was remarkable given the mission cost approximately $75 million — less than the budget of many Hollywood movies.