'Joy, Gratefulness...': ISRO Chief On Chandrayaan-3 Success, Why South Pole Was Chosen And Aditya L1

After Chandrayaan-3's successful soft landing on the South Pole of the Moon, ISRO Chief S Somanath it was difficult to describe what was on his mind and also spoke in detail about the mission.

"It is very difficult to describe what went through the mind," ISRO Chief S Somanath said after the Chandrayaan-3 mission's successful landing on the South Pole region of the lunar surface, adding that, "It could be joy, it could be the essence of accomplishment and thanksgiving to all those who contributed to the mission."

Speaking on why the South Pole region of the Moon was chosen, he said, "We have gone closer to the South Pole which is 70 degrees almost. The South Pole has a specific advantage with respect to being less illuminated by the sun. There is a potential because of to have more scientific content... Scientists who are working on the moon showed a lot of interest in the South Pole because ultimately human beings want to go and create colonies and then travel beyond. So the best place is something we are looking for & the South Pole has the potential to be that."

On what the mission plans after it's successful soft landing, he said, "Pragyan Rover has two instruments both are related to elemental composition findings on the moon as well as chemical compositions...Moreover, it will do the roving over the surface. We will also do a robotic path planning exercise which is important for future explorations for us."

He also elaborated on the upcoming missions of the agency, "Aditya mission to the Sun & it is getting ready for launch in September. Gaganyaan is still a work in progress. We will do a mission possibly by the end of September or October to demonstrate the crew module & crew escape capability which will be followed by many test missions until we do the first manned mission possibly by 2025."

India made history on Wednesday evening as Chandrayaan-3 lander module successfully landed on the moon's South Pole, making it the first country to have achieved this historic feat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also joined from South Africa where he is currently present to attend the 15th BRICS Summit. "We are witness to the new flight of new India. New history has been written. This is a moment to cherish forever. India is now on the moon," PM Modi said in opening remarks.

"Kabhi kaha jata tha chanda mama bahut door ke hain, ab ek din wo bhi ayega jab bacche kaha karenge chanda mama bass ek tour ke hain (Once upon a time it was said that Chanda Mama (Moon) is far away. Now, one day too will come when children will say that the Moon is just a tour away)," the Prime Minister added.