Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Somanath affirmed India’s formidable capabilities in interplanetary travel, citing the potential to journey to the Moon, Mars, and Venus. He emphasized ISRO’s readiness to realize the vision articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While discussing the country’s space ambitions, Somanath expressed the need for enhanced confidence, increased investment, and the growth of the space sector to foster national development. Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, he stated, “We’re ready to fulfill the vision that was given to us by PM Modi.”
During his visit to the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru, Modi lauded the scientists behind Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission. He proclaimed August 23 as National Space Day to commemorate Chandrayaan-3’s lunar landing and assigned significant names to pivotal lunar landing points: ‘Shiv Shakti’ for the Vikram lander’s touchdown spot and ‘Tiranga’ for the Chandrayaan-2 Lunar landing point. Modi expressed that these names symbolize the resilience evoked by India’s endeavors and the lessons learned from challenges.
Modi’s interaction with women scientists from ISRO’s ‘Chandrayaan-3’ project highlighted their instrumental role in India’s triumphant lunar landing mission. The recent achievement, placing a lander on the unexplored lunar South Pole, marked a historic feat for India as the first country to succeed in such an endeavor.
