Mumbai: In a momentous leap for India's space endeavors, the Chandrayaan-3 lander module triumphantly touched down on the moon's South Pole, signifying a significant milestone and ending the disappointment stemming from the Chandrayaan-2's crash landing four years ago.

Amidst cheers and applause at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters in Bengaluru, officials celebrated the successful landing of the Vikram lander module as it initiated its powered descent towards the designated landing site. This achievement firmly establishes India as the first nation to accomplish such a feat and marks the fourth successful lunar landing in history, following the United States, China, and Russia.

"India is on the moon!" exclaimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who witnessed the historic event during his attendance at the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. With a proud smile and the national tricolor in hand, he conveyed his joy as the Vikram lander made its flawless landing on the lunar surface.

The meticulously calculated landing sequence saw the Vikram lander gradually descend from 150 meters to 130 meters, then 50 meters, before finally coming to a halt on the moon's surface. The triumphant moment marked the pinnacle of India's extensive efforts in space exploration, offering a fitting conclusion to ISRO's relentless dedication.

India's accomplishment carries an additional distinction as it becomes the first nation to land on the southern hemisphere of the moon, adding its name to the annals of history alongside the earlier lunar pioneers.

The event garnered immense attention from billions of individuals in India and around the world. Given the recent crash of Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft, the success of Chandrayaan-3 held particular significance. People from diverse backgrounds and faiths across India united in prayer for a favorable outcome.

In the lead-up to the pivotal moment, special screenings were organized across the country, including schools and science centers, allowing citizens to witness the event. ISRO facilitated live broadcasts via its website, YouTube channel, Facebook, and the national broadcaster DD National TV.

The scheduled landing time for Chandrayaan-3's soft landing at the moon's south pole was 18:04 IST on August 23, 2023, with the Vikram lander's powered descent occurring at 17:45 IST. ISRO supported the lander's navigation by providing close-up images of the lunar surface, enabling accurate positioning.

Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar mission, aspired to achieve a safe and gentle touchdown, deploying the 'Vikram' lander module and the 'Pragyaan' rover. The lander was named in honor of Vikram Sarabhai, the visionary founder of ISRO. The mission's objectives included in-situ scientific experiments and exploration of the lunar surface.

This extraordinary achievement comes after meticulous planning, including overcoming the unforeseen challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Chandrayaan-3's development commenced in January 2020, with a budget of Rs 250 crores (excluding launch vehicle cost).

The successful establishment of two-way communication between the Chandrayaan-3 lander module and the orbiting Chandrayaan-2 orbiter earlier this week marked an important step in India's space journey. The words of ISRO's founder, Vikram Sarabhai, resonated deeply as the nation reached new heights: "India must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems facing society."