Source: CNBC | Original Published At: 2023-08-23 12:25:14 UTC
Key Points
- India's Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the moon's south pole
- Fourth nation to land on moon after Russia, U.S., and China
- First-ever landing at a lunar pole region
- Modi highlighted the mission's significance during BRICS summit
- Mission emphasizes India's growing space capabilities
The moon’s surface is seen below the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on August 20, 2023 as it orbited in preparation for landing.
India staked new claim as a national superpower in space, landing its Chandrayaan-3 mission safely on the moon’s unexplored south pole on Wednesday.
The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft launched last month and touch downed on the lunar surface around 8:34 a.m. ET.
The feat makes India the fourth country – after Russia, the U.S. and China – to land on the moon, and the first to land on one of the moon’s lunar poles.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tuned in to the livestream of the landing from South Africa’s Johannesburg, where he attended the 15th BRICS summit of emerging markets.
“All the people of the world, the people of every country and region: India’s successful moon mission is not just India’s alone … this success belongs to all of humanity,” Modi said, speaking on the ISRO webcast of the event.
“We can all aspire for the moon, and beyond,” Modi added.