Today’s Doodle is dedicated to honouring the initial touchdown on the moon’s southern pole.
Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota Range, Andhra Pradesh, India, on July 14, 2023, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft effectively landed near the lunar south pole region on August 23, 2023.
“Accomplishing moon landings is a formidable achievement,” Google Doodle website noted.
Previously, only the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union had achieved gentle landings on the moon; however, no nation had previously reached the southern pole region.
“The moon’s southern pole has captivated space explorers due to suspicions of ice deposits residing within perpetually shaded craters. Chandrayaan-3 has now definitively verified this hypothesis!”
According to the page, this ice holds the potential to provide crucial resources for future astronauts, including air, water, and even hydrogen for rocket fuel.
Chandrayaan-3’s first thoughts after achieving this historic feat were, “India, I have reached my intended destination, and you have too!”
Back on Earth, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, conveyed his congratulations to scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), remarking, “The triumph belongs to all of humanity… It will aid forthcoming lunar missions by other nations. I am confident that all countries worldwide can aspire to reach the moon and beyond. The sky knows no bounds!
Cheers to the Chandrayaan-3 space mission! We are extremely elated for your achievement beyond measure!”