India has designated August 23rd as National Space Day, commemorating the successful landing of the Vikram Lander from the Chandrayaan-3 mission on the lunar surface. This historic achievement, which made India the fourth country to land a rover on the Moon and the first to do so in the southern polar region, is being celebrated across the nation with a focus on inspiring future generations and promoting space exploration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his greetings on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Greetings to everyone on the first National Space Day. We recall with great pride our nation’s achievements in the space sector. It is also a day to laud the contributions of our space scientists. Our Government has taken a series of futuristic decisions relating to this sector and we will do even more in the times to come.”
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, a follow-up to Chandrayaan-2, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, successfully achieved a soft landing of the Vikram Lander on August 23, 2023. The successful soft landing made India the fourth country, after the United States, Russia, and China, to achieve the feat.
Greetings to everyone on the first National Space Day. We recall with great pride our nation’s achievements in the space sector. It is also a day to laud the contributions of our space scientists. Our Government has taken a series of futuristic decisions relating to this sector… pic.twitter.com/E7QcNDSm4u
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2024
The Vikram Lander, accompanied by the Pragyaan Rover, touched down at a site designated as ‘Shiv Shakti.’ The rover was subsequently deployed, commencing its exploration of the lunar surface.
The theme for National Space Day 2024 is “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga,” highlighting the broader impact of space exploration on society and highlighting how advancements in space technology can benefit life on Earth.
Celebrations are taking place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, with live streaming of events on ISRO’s website and YouTube channel. These events aim to engage the public and inspire young minds to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
National Space Day serves as a testament to India’s growing capabilities in space exploration and its commitment to advancing space science and technology. By commemorating this day, India aims to promote awareness, foster international collaboration, and inspire future generations to contribute to the nation’s space endeavors.
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