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Chandrayaan Success: India scripts history by landing on Moon

BENGALURU: India created history on Wednesday after Chandrayaan-3 landed successfully on lunar surface, completing 40-day cycle as a billion-strong nation joined ISRO scientists with bated breath to watch the Vikram lander kissing the moon.

With the success of this mission, India has now entered the elite club of countries that have successfully landed on the moon’s surface: the US, Russia, and China.

The New Indian team was invited by the ISRO’s Telemetry Tracking And Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru to witness the mission from inside. Hundreds of media crew including those from foreign and national publications had gathered to witness the mission from outside ISRO space centre.

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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi went live from Johannesburg with the scientists team, ISRO director S Somnath told him at sharp 6:03 pm – We have landed on the moon, reminiscent of astronaut Rakesh Sharma’s message in 1983 when India had entered the space.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank the people behind this mission and project director Chandrayaan P Veeramuthuvel and the mission operations director Srikant,” remarked Somnath, as he shook hands with his colleagues at ISTRAC.

While thanking fellow colleagues, Somnath said: “We should never forget the effort and contribution of people who worked on Chandrayaan-2, while celebrating the success of Chandrayaan-3”.

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The New Indian team stayed inside ISTRAC to witness the ceremony, emotional outpour and congratulatory high-fives.

In next few hours, lander Vikram, named after India’s celebrated scientist Vikram Sarabhai, will release rover Pragyan from its belly. “The rover will study the moon and carry out experiments over a period of 14 days (or one lunar day),” the ISRO chief said.

“I extend my heartiest congratulations to Team Chandrayaan3, ISRO & all scientists who worked tirelessly for years. I also congratulate 140 crore Indians. Dear Parivarjan, India has reached moon’s south pole where no other country could reach,” Modi told India and scientists, joining the mission from South Africa.

“This success belongs to all of humanity. It will help moon missions by other countries in the future,” PM Modi declared, adding, “India’s success is not just India’s alone. This is a year when the world is witnessing India G20 presidency. Our approach One Earth, One Family, One Future is resonating across the globe. Our moon mission is also based on same human centric approach.”

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