Vikram Sends First Pics From The Moon

Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander has sent back its first image after a triumphant landing on the Moon. The Rover Pragyan remains inside the Lander Module, awaiting deployment. ISRO confirmed a functional communication link between the Lander and the MOX-ISTRAC complex in Bengaluru. Notably, images from the Lander’s descent captured by its Horizontal Velocity Camera were also released.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in India’s space program. Chandrayaan-3 executed a successful soft landing on the lunar south pole at 6:04 pm, becoming the fourth nation to achieve this feat after the US, China, and the former Soviet Union. Impressively, this success follows a Russian lander’s recent crash near the same location.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly congratulated ISRO Chairman S Somanath, expressing intentions to personally commend the team in Bengaluru. He lauded the accomplishment as reflective of India’s aspirations and capabilities.

Chandrayaan-3, launched on July 14, holds particular importance due to setbacks faced by its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2. The 2019 attempt suffered a landing failure due to braking system anomalies. With a budget of 600 crore rupees, Chandrayaan-3 reached its destination near the lunar south pole after 41 days, showcasing India’s advancements in space exploration.