Congratulations have come from all quarters after the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 on Friday.
While political parties and leaders from across the spectrum congratulate the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for successfully launching Chandrayaan-3, congratulations also came in from abroad. The space agencies of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU) also sent congratulatory messages.
The Chandrayaan-3, a follow-up to Chandrayaan-1 and -2, is an ambitious Indian Moon mission that's set to land on the South Pole of the Moon where no spacecraft has gone before. The insights that equipment aboard Chandrayaan-3 would gather wold be keenly studied by all the space agencies in the world.
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The Indian space programme has long been associated with national pride and is understood to have a bipartisan consensus, which explains congratulatory messages from across the political spectrum.
Chandrayaan-3 scripts new chapter in space odyssey: PM Modi
After the ISRO confirmed that the Chandrayaan-3 had successfully been placed into orbit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that the mission is scripting a new chapter in India's space odyssey.
He tweeted, "Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in India's space odyssey. It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian. This momentous achievement is a testament to our scientists' relentless dedication. I salute their spirit and ingenuity!"
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The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, with the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft at 2:35 pm. Around 16 minutes later, the ISRO confirmed that the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft had separated from the rocket in the orbit. This marked the successful conclusion of the launch.
Chandrayaan-3 is set to enter the orbit of the Moon on August 1 and its landing is scheduled on at 5:47 pm on August 23, said ISRO chief S Somanath on Friday.
Congress hails Chandrayaan-3 launch, recalls Nehru's words
The Congress party leaders congratulated ISRO and hailed the Chandrayaan-3 launch. They also remembered the words of late Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the occasion.
In a tweet, Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge said, "On behalf of the Congress party, we express our sincere gratitude to the extraordinary team at ISRO."
Kharge also recalled the contributions of previous Indian prime ministers and ISRO chiefs. He also recalled the previous two Chandrayaan missions in 2008 and 2019.
Before concluding with a "Jai Hind", Kharge quoted Nehru: "…I am convinced that the methods and approach of science have revolutionized human life more than anything else in the long course of history, and have opened doors and avenues of further and even more radical change, leading up to the very portals of what has long been considered the unknown."
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that billion people are looking up at the sky, beaming with pride. He added that the Chandrayaan-3 launch was a result of decades of hard work.
Proudest moment for all Indians: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
Sharing the photo of the Chandrayaan-3 lift-off, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted, "Proudest moment for all Indians as our third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 has been launched by ISRO. Congratulations to all behind its successful launch. It is a historic triumph for our nation as the mission will bring in groundbreaking results in space research."
A new chapter in space innovation: Sharad Pawar
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Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said, "Congratulations to the entire team at ISRO and all the 1.4 million Indians on the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3. This has created a new chapter in space innovation which started off in 2008 after the successful launch of Chandrayaan 1. It has been a proud journey for our nation. #ISRO."
Not only from within India, but congratulatory messages also poured in from foreign space agencies and leaders.
India is demonstrating leadership on Artemis Accords: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson
In a message retweeted by US space agency NASA, Administrator Bill Nelson said that India is demonstrating its leadership on Artemis Accords.
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The Artemis Accords are a set of common principles and guidelines for the constructive usage of space my membership countries. India signed the Accords last month during the state visit of PM Modi to the United States.
Nelson also said that the NASA is awaiting the results of Indian probes on the Moon.
The Chandrayaan-3 is set to land on the South Pole of the Moon where no spacecraft has gone before. Outlook also reported earlier that insights and data gathered by the equipment aboard Chandrayaan-3 will be keenly studies by the world. Moreover, NASA's human Moon mission, Artemis-III, will also land on the South Pole. Therefore, NASA in particular would keenly study Chandrayaan-3's data as it could help it select a better landing site and avoid hazardous spots.
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European Space Agency congratulates ISRO
The European Space Agency (ESA) congratulated ISRO after Chandrayaan-3 launch and mentioned its support to the program.
In an accompanying post, the ESA said that three ground stations of the ESA are supporting the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
The ESA said, "ESA’s 15 m antenna in Kourou, French Guiana, will be used to track Chandrayaan-3 during the days after launch to help ensure that the spacecraft survived the rigours of lift off and is in good health as it begins its journey to the Moon. As the spacecraft recedes from Earth, ESA will coordinate tracking support from the 32-metre antenna operated by Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd in the UK. Goonhilly will support Chandrayaan-3’s propulsion and lander modules. Crucially, it will support the lander during the entire phase of lunar surface operations, helping to ensure that science data acquired by the rover arrives safely with ISRO in India."
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UK Space Agency hails Chandrayaan-3 launch
The UK Space Agency also tweeted a congratulatory message for ISRO after the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3.
In a separate tweet, the agency hailed the UK private sector's support to the Indian Moon mission.
In a separate tweet, the agency said, "UK-based Goonhilly (GES Ltd) is collaborating with ESA to support communications for ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft. A great example of the UK space sector's advanced capabilities being used to support international space missions."
