India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, which successfully landed on the Moon on August 23, 2023, has been honored with the prestigious World Space Award from the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) celebrated this achievement, highlighting India’s significant contributions to space exploration and technology. The award was presented during events held in Milan, Italy, recognizing the mission as a testament to India’s scientific prowess and cost-effective engineering.
Chandrayaan-3 is especially notable for being the first mission to achieve a soft landing near the Moon’s South Pole. This region presents unique challenges, including extreme temperatures and rugged terrain, making the successful landing a remarkable feat. Following the landing, the rover Pragyan has been conducting scientific experiments, including soil analysis and temperature measurements, furthering our understanding of the lunar environment.
With a budget of approximately $91 million, it stands as one of the most cost-effective lunar missions to date, emphasizing ISRO’s innovative capabilities and commitment to making space exploration accessible.
