National Space Day Declared by PM Modi on August 23, Commends ISRO Scientists
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a significant milestone in India’s space exploration by declaring August 23 as ‘National Space Day.’ This announcement came during his address to the ISRO scientists at the ISRO command center in Bengaluru. The decision to designate this day holds special significance as it coincides with the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s south pole on the same date, symbolizing India’s achievement in space technology and research.
This move not only honors the remarkable achievement of Chandrayaan-3 but also aims to encourage the nation’s continued dedication to space exploration and innovation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the opportunity to meet and personally congratulate the ISRO scientists on Saturday for their exceptional achievement in the successful lunar landing of Chandrayaan-3. During his visit to Bengaluru, he interacted with the ISRO scientists at the Isro Telemetry Tracking and Command Network Mission Control Complex (ISTRAC), where he praised the efforts of the Chandrayaan-3 team.
This direct engagement with the scientists in the mission reflects the government’s recognition of their dedication and contributions to India’s space endeavors.
In a show of appreciation for the remarkable contributions of the women scientists who played a crucial role in accomplishing the successful lunar mission and the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s surface, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a significant announcement.
He declared that the specific spot on the lunar terrain where Chandrayaan-3 touched down would be named ‘Shivshakti.’ This gesture not only acknowledges women’s significant achievements in space research but also signifies a profound respect for their dedication and expertise.
This decision to honor the landing site with a distinct name showcases the government’s commitment to recognizing and commemorating the extraordinary achievements of the scientific community, particularly the women scientists, whose tireless efforts have propelled India’s space exploration endeavors to new heights.
The designation ‘Shivshakti’ carries a powerful message, representing the fusion of determination, knowledge, and capability – attributes that embody the spirit of India’s space mission and its bright future in space exploration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledging the pivotal role played by women scientists in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, highlighted the significance of the designated ‘Shivshakti’ point on the Moon’s surface. He emphasized that this landmark will serve as a source of inspiration for future generations, encouraging them to harness the power of science for the betterment of humanity.
PM Modi emphasized that the ultimate commitment lies in the welfare of the people, underscoring the government’s dedication to utilizing scientific advancements for the greater good. By associating this lunar landing site with ‘Shivshakti’, a name that symbolizes strength and empowerment, the Prime Minister reinforces the importance of scientific progress to uplift society and drive positive change.
In addition to naming the point of Chandrayaan-3’s successful lunar landing as ‘Shivshakti’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also declared that the location where its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, had made contact with the lunar surface will now be referred to as the ‘Tiranga’ point. This naming signifies the profound patriotic sentiment associated with the Indian tricolor flag, further imbuing the country’s achievements in space exploration with a sense of national pride.
The decision to bestow these names on specific lunar landmarks not only commemorates India’s advancements in space technology but also inspires the nation’s future endeavors in scientific exploration and innovation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of scientific and technological advancements in shaping a nation’s trajectory in modern times. He highlighted that the countries leading the way in these fields create history and drive progress. To encourage the younger generation’s engagement in science, technology, and space exploration, he announced the establishment of August 23 as “National Space Day.”
This special day coincides with the momentous achievement of Chandrayaan-3’s successful lunar landing, marking a significant milestone for India’s space program. By dedicating this day to space exploration, India aims to inspire and motivate its youth to pursue scientific and technological pursuits, contributing to the nation’s growth and development on the global stage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed immense pride and admiration for India’s monumental achievement of successfully landing on the Moon with Chandrayaan-3. He hailed this accomplishment as a symbol of the nation’s progress, boldness, and bravery. The prime minister emphasized the unprecedented nature of this feat, marking a significant stride for India in space exploration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists for extending the “Make In India” initiative to the Moon through the success of Chandrayaan-3. This reference underlined the significant boost to indigenous production and innovation resulting from the successful lunar landing.
Despite not being physically present during the Chandrayaan-3 landing, PM Modi virtually attended the event from Bengaluru. He congratulated ISRO Chairman S Somanath and his team for the remarkable achievement of successfully landing on the lunar south pole region. This achievement solidified India’s position as a spacefaring nation. It established it as the first country to accomplish such a feat, reflecting India’s continued dedication to space exploration and scientific advancement.
Chandrayaan-3, a subsequent mission to the Chandrayaan-2 launched in 2019, is designed to achieve three primary objectives:
- It aims to demonstrate a safe and successful soft landing on the lunar surface, a feat not accomplished during the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
- The mission intends to showcase the rover’s ability to navigate and explore the Moon’s surface.
- Chandrayaan-3 aims to conduct in-situ scientific experiments on the lunar terrain.
On Wednesday, August 23, at 6:04 pm, ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 achieved a significant milestone with its successful landing on the Moon’s surface. Over the next two weeks, the mission will embark on experiments conducted by the lander module (Vikram) and the rover (Pragyan). These experiments will provide valuable insights and data about the Moon’s surface and composition, contributing to our understanding of lunar geology and its potential for scientific exploration.
Recently, on Friday, the Pragyan rover demonstrated its mobility on the lunar surface by traveling a distance of 8 meters, as confirmed by ISRO. Although the soft landing goal of the Chandrayaan-3 mission was not achieved, ISRO successfully positioned its orbiter in lunar orbit, continuing to gather crucial data and insights.
Despite the initial setback of the soft landing, ISRO’s accomplishments in the lunar program are noteworthy. The agency’s efforts have positioned India as one of the top four countries to achieve a soft landing on the Moon’s surface. Furthermore, India’s achievement of reaching the unexplored southern pole of the Moon is a historic milestone that marks the nation’s pioneering efforts in space exploration.
