National Space Day: India Commemorates Lunar Landing and Space Advancements

India celebrated its second National Space Day with enthusiastic events recognizing the nation’s space achievements. The day honors the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander on the moon on August 23, 2023, an accomplishment that made India the fourth country to land on the moon and the first to reach its South Pole. The Pragyan Rover began scientific research on the moon’s surface post-landing, and the landing site was named “Shiva Shakti Point,” symbolizing India’s scientific and cultural values. The Government of India declared August 23 as “National Space Day” to commemorate this achievement, reflecting India’s expanding space capabilities. The theme for the year, “Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: From Ancient Knowledge to Limitless Possibilities,” showcased India’s journey from its astronomical past to contemporary space missions. The 2nd National Space Day program was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and was attended by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, and ISRO Chairman V Narayanan. The event marked the second anniversary of India’s successful lunar landing, affirming India’s status as a leading nation in global space research. ISRO chief V. Narayanan emphasized the significance of sending a ‘Gaganyatri’ to the International Space Station, attributing the mission’s success to the Prime Minister’s vision.