India Celebrates First-Ever National Space Day, Honoring Chandrayaan-3 Success

Today, India marks its first National Space Day, commemorating the historic achievement of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on social media, saying, “As we celebrate our first National Space Day, I congratulate our space scientists and engineers for their tireless efforts. Let us continue to touch lives while touching the moon, and beyond!”

The theme of this year’s National Space Day is “Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga.” The day highlights India’s remarkable space achievements and future goals. “We are proud to have achieved this milestone, and we look forward to many more,” said a spokesperson for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

On August 23, 2023, India became the fourth country to land on the moon’s surface and the first to reach the South Polar Region. To honor this achievement, PM Modi declared August 23 as National Space Day. “This day will be a special occasion to celebrate India’s space progress and future goals,” he said.

ISRO has released new images of the moon, showcasing the Vikram lander and Pragyaan Rover’s journey. “These images show the best view of our efforts to plant India’s national symbol on lunar soil,” said an ISRO scientist.

Analysis of data from the Chandrayaan-3 mission has provided valuable insights into the lunar soil’s characteristics. “The data suggests that the moon once had a magma ocean,” said a researcher involved in the study.

To celebrate National Space Day, space experts, scientists, and students will gather in New Delhi, joined by President Draupadi Murmu. “We are excited to celebrate this momentous occasion and look forward to many more achievements in the space sector,” she said.