More people live in India than in any other country. About 1.4 billion people call that Asian nation home. And they had a lot to celebrate on August 23. India became the fourth nation to land a spacecraft safely on the Moon — and the first to land a craft on the Moon’s South Pole!
This space mission began on July 14, 2023. A rocket carrying three spacecraft launched from Sriharikota, India. No humans were on board. One spacecraft on the rocket was a named Pragyan. Scientists built it to drive around the Moon! A lander named Vikram had the role of carrying Pragyan to the surface of the Moon. A third craft, the , was needed to get both the spacecraft and the lander close to the Moon.
The orbiter — with the lander and rover on board — got close to the Moon on August 5. It flew around and around the Moon. On August 17, the lander separated itself from the orbiter. It was getting ready for the big landing!
Finally, it came time to touch down. Scientists in India watched closely as the lander made its way to the Moon’s surface. And… it was a success! Experts clapped, cheered, and hugged each other when the spaceship landed safely. People watching on TV and online celebrated too!
It’s not easy to land a spacecraft safely on the Moon. This was India’s second try to do this. The nation’s first attempt failed. And around the same time as India’s landing, a craft from Russia crashed on the Moon. Still, Russia congratulated India on its special .
Next, the Pragyan rover will do tests. It will take samples from the Moon’s surface. Scientists hope to learn more about the history of the Moon!
India’s leader is Narendra Modi. When the spacecraft landed safely on the Moon, he was at a meeting with BRICS leaders. The BRICS group is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Modi said he wanted to work together with other BRICS members on space projects!
India is planning more missions to the planets of Mars and Venus. How far will the nation go?
Updated August 23, 2023, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Ryan Cramer
