Chandrayaan-3: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released another video of Chandrayaan-3's Pragyan rover walking on the Moon's South Pole on Saturday (August 26). "Pragyan rover roams around Shiv Shakti point in pursuit of lunar secrets at the South Pole," the space agency said in a video posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
In an X post, ISRO updated that two of the three objectives associated with the mission have been accomplished. "Of the 3 mission objectives, demonstration of a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface is accomplished. Demonstration of Rover roving on the moon is accomplished. Conducting in-situ scientific experiments is underway. All payloads are performing normally," ISRO said on ‘X’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru earlier today to meet with scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Addressing the ISRO team, he revealed the location of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft's landing. He stated that the location where the spacecraft landed would be known as the 'Shiv Shakti' point.
"The location where the Chandrayaan-3 moon lander landed will now be known as 'Shiv Shakti'". "There is a resolution in Shiv for the welfare of humanity, and Shakti gives us the strength to carry out those resolutions. The Shiv Shakti Point of the Moon also provides a sense of connection between Himalaya and Kanyakumari," he added.
READ | Tiranga And Shiv Shakti: India Names Two Areas On Moon Related To Chandrayaan Missions
The Prime Minister stated that these pious resolutions require the blessings of Shakti and that "Shakti is our Nari Shakti," emphasising the welfare core of scientific pursuit. "Our women scientists, the country's Nari Shakti, have played a big role in the success of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission," he said. Modi made a remark. "India's scientific and philosophical thinking will be witnessed by the Shiv Shakti Point of the Moon," he added.
PM stated that the point where Chandrayaan 2 left its footprints will now be called 'Tiranga'. This point, according to the Prime Minister, will serve as an inspiration for every effort made by India and will remind us that failure is not the end. "Success is a guarantee where there is strong willpower," he said.
ISRO announced on Friday that the Pragyan Rover had successfully traversed an 8-meter distance with payloads turned on.
READ | Chandrayaan 3 — Pragyan Rover Traverses Distance Of 8 Meters, Payloads Turned On: ISRO
On Wednesday, the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover touched down on the Moon's surface, well within the area designated for the purpose. The 26-kg six-wheeled rover emerged from the lander's belly a few hours later. On Thursday evening, ISRO stated that all activities are proceeding as planned and that all systems are operational.
India made history on Wednesday when the lander module of its third unmanned Moon mission made a flawless soft-landing, making it only the fourth country to accomplish this feat and the first to reach the uncharted south pole of Earth's only natural satellite.
Pragyan now has 14 earth days (equivalent to one lunar day) beginning August 23 to conduct experiments on the lunar soil. The Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter, which was launched in 2019, is still orbiting the Moon.