Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft lands on the moon in "victory cry of a new India"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently attending a BRICS summit in South Africa, hailed the event as a "victory cry of a new India." He observed the landing via video link and celebrated India's triumph along with scientists and officials. The achievement was met with jubilation across the country, with people celebrating by setting off fireworks and dancing in the streets.

India's Chandrayaan-3 has become the fourth mission to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon, following the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) shared images from the spacecraft, revealing the moon's surface and the lander's shadow.

The challenging terrain of the moon's south pole poses difficulties for landing, but its ice deposits hold promise for supplying resources like fuel, oxygen, and water for future missions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson extended their congratulations to India for the achievement, acknowledging the nation's advancements in science and technology.

Chandrayaan-3, India's much-awaited moon mission, had been scheduled for launch on July 14, 2023. This successful landing was India's second attempt, the first being Chandrayaan-2 in 2019, which deployed an orbiter but experienced a lander crash.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is set to conduct various experiments on the lunar surface, including a spectrometer analysis of mineral composition. The moon rover, carried by the spacecraft, will eventually explore the surface. This achievement is expected to bolster India's reputation for cost-effective space engineering, with the mission's budget being notably lower than that of the 2013 film "Gravity."

The successful landing is anticipated to open opportunities for further lunar and interplanetary exploration, with India considering future missions to Mars, Venus, and the Sun. The accomplishment also fosters the country's scientific and technological progress.

Before the landing, India was gripped by anticipation, with widespread prayers and celebrations across religious and cultural sites, including temples, mosques, and schools. Children and citizens alike joined in expressing their patriotism and excitement for the historic event.