India Celebrates National Space Day, Recognizing Lunar Landing Milestone

The second National Space Day was observed in India, commemorating the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander on the moon on August 23, 2023. This accomplishment marked India as the fourth nation to achieve a lunar landing and the first to reach the South Pole. Following the landing, the Pragyan Rover commenced scientific studies on the lunar surface, with the landing site named “Shiva Shakti Point” to represent India’s scientific and cultural ethos. To acknowledge this historic feat, the Indian government declared August 23 as “National Space Day,” symbolizing the progress of the country’s space capabilities. The theme for this year, “Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: From Ancient Knowledge to Limitless Possibilities,” highlights India’s evolution from its historical astronomical knowledge to modern space missions. The National Space Day program was attended by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, and ISRO Chairman V Narayanan at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event celebrated the two-year anniversary of India’s successful lunar landing, solidifying its position as a major player in global space research. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted the importance of sending a ‘Gaganyatri’ to the International Space Station, crediting the Prime Minister for the initiative.