‘Day to laud our scientists’: PM Modi celebrates first National Space Day, emphasizes futuristic space sector decisions
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Inauguration of National Space Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the first National Space Day, celebrating India’s milestone in space exploration with the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission. The day was announced last year following India’s achievement of landing a spacecraft on the Moon.
Social Media Greeting
PM Modi addressed the nation via social media, expressing pride in India’s accomplishments in space and acknowledging the contributions of space scientists. He extended greetings to the nation on this significant day.
Commitment to Advancing Space Sector
The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s dedication to advancing India’s space capabilities. He mentioned that the government has made several forward-looking decisions and intends to continue this momentum in the future.
Historic Chandrayaan-3 Mission
Chandrayaan-3, launched on July 14, successfully landed on the Moon’s surface on August 23. This made India the first nation to land a spacecraft on the lunar south pole and the fourth to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, joining the ranks of the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union.
Mission Objectives
The primary goals of Chandrayaan-3 included demonstrating the ability to perform a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface, deploying a rover to explore the Moon, and conducting scientific experiments in situ.
Global Recognition
The success of Chandrayaan-3 garnered international acclaim. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson congratulated India for the achievement, and European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Josef Aschbacher praised the mission, noting ESA’s support through ground station assistance.
Space Cooperation Initiatives
The Modi-led government has actively promoted space exploration and international cooperation. During PM Modi’s state visit to the United States, space cooperation was a key focus, leading to India’s signing of the Artemis Accords and an agreement to collaborate on a mission to the International Space Station.