Chandrayaan 3 - India makes historic landing near Moon's South Pole.

India made history on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 by successfully landing its
Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft near the Moon's south pole. This is the first time that any country
has landed a spacecraft on this region of the Moon.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which
launched in 2019 but failed to land on the Moon. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft
consists of a lander, a rover, and an orbiter. The lander, called Vikram, touched
down on the Moon's surface at 12:32 GMT (6:02 a.m. EDT). The rover, called
Pragyan, will be deployed from the lander and will explore the surrounding area. The
orbiter, called Chandrayaan-3 Orbiter, will remain in orbit around the Moon and will
provide support to the lander and rover.
The Moon's south pole is of particular interest to scientists because it is thought to
contain water ice. Water ice is a vital resource for future human exploration of the
Moon, as it could be used for drinking, growing food, and producing rocket fuel.
The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 is a major achievement for the Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and a significant step forward in India's lunar
exploration program. It also puts India in the elite club of countries that have
successfully landed spacecraft on the Moon.
The ISRO is planning to conduct a series of experiments with the Chandrayaan-3
lander and rover. These experiments will focus on studying the Moon's geology,
mineralogy, and atmosphere. The ISRO is also planning to search for water ice in
the lunar regolith.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is expected to last for about two weeks. However, the
lander and rover could continue to operate for longer if they are able to conserve
their power.
The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 is a major milestone for India's space
program and a significant contribution to the global effort to explore the Moon. It is a
testament to the hard work and dedication of the ISRO team, and it will inspire future
generations of Indian scientists and engineers.