Govt Notifies August 23 As 'National Space Day' To Commemorate Chandrayaan-3 Success

August 23rd is notified as 'National Space Day' to commemorate the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

The mission's Vikram lander and Pragyan rover made a successful landing on the moon's surface on August 23, marking their touchdown at the designated location now known as 'Shiv Shakti Point'.

Source : PTI

In a historic move, the Government of India has declared August 23rd of every year as 'National Space Day' to commemorate the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which witnessed the triumphant landing of the Vikram lander and the deployment of the Pragyaan Rover on the lunar surface. "In the wake of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission's success on August 23, 2023, with the landing of the Vikram lander and the deployment of the Pragyaan Rover on the lunar surface, India joins an elite group of spacefaring nations," read the Gazette notification issued on Friday.

This proclamation, as detailed in a Gazette notification, underlines the significance of this day in India's relentless pursuit of advancements in space missions. The move aims to serve as a source of inspiration for younger generations, fostering a heightened interest in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), while providing a significant boost to the burgeoning space sector.

The declaration regarding the same was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with scientists at the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network Mission Control Complex in Bengaluru in August. At the time of the Chandrayaan-3 launch, the Prime Minister was keenly following the events even while he was abroad, amid his visit to South Africa and Greece.

"Women scientists played a key role in Chandrayaan 3..this 'Shivkshakti' point will inspire the upcoming generations to use science for the welfare of people. The welfare of people is our supreme commitment," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Modi further added to the significance of the occasion by naming the landing site of India's third lunar mission on the Moon's surface as 'Shiv Shakti,' paying tribute to the pivotal role played by women scientists in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He expressed that the 'Shiv Shakti' point would serve as an enduring source of inspiration for future generations to employ science for the betterment of society, emphasizing the government's unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi noted that the location on the lunar surface where Chandrayaan-2 left its mark in 2019 would be known as 'Tiranga,' signifying the Indian tricolor. This designation would serve as a reminder that failure is not the final outcome, and would inspire future endeavors.

Following the triumphant landing on August 23, the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover embarked on a series of successful lunar activities and experiments, further consolidating India's achievements in space exploration.

Both the rover and lander were placed in sleep mode in preparation for their reactivation on September 23, but communication could not be re-established.