India has become the fourth country ever to land a spacecraft on the moon after its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully touched down.
The United States, China, and the former Soviet Union have previously landed on the moon’s surface.
According to CNN, Chandrayaan-3’s landing site is also the closest to the moon’s south pole that any other spacecraft in history has achieved.
Scientists consider the South Pole region an area of key scientific and strategic interest for spacefaring nations, as they believe it contains water ice deposits that could be converted into rocket fuel or drinking water for future crewed missions.
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, who is attending the BRICS Summit in South Africa, watched the landing on screen. and shared broadcasted remarks on the livestream.
In a livestream broadcast, Modi said, “On this joyous occasion…I would like to address all the people of the world.
“India’s successful moon mission is not just India’s alone. This is a year in which the world is witnessing India’s G20 presidency. Our approach of one Earth, one family, one future is resonating across the globe.
“This human-centric approach that we present and we represent has been welcome universally. Our moon mission is also based on the same human-centric approach.
“Therefore, this success belongs to all of humanity, and it will help moon missions by other countries in the future,” he added.
On August 19, Russia’s first moon landing attempt after 47 years came to an end. Its Luna 25 spacecraft crashed into the moon after its engines misfired.
