India, through its space agency, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), possesses the technical capability to explore celestial bodies such as the Moon, Mars, and Venus. ISRO Chairman S Somanath made this assertion, emphasizing the need for increased investment in the space sector to further advance India’s space exploration endeavors.
During a press interaction in Thiruvananthapuram, Chairman Somanath stated, “India has the capability to travel to the Moon, Mars, and Venus, but we need to increase our confidence. We need more investment, and the space sector must develop. By achieving this, the entire nation can progress, which is our mission. We are prepared to realize the vision provided to us by Prime Minister Modi.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru, where he met with the team of scientists responsible for Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission. During his visit, PM Modi announced the designation of August 23 as National Space Day, commemorating Chandrayaan-3’s historic lunar landing. He also christened the landing site of the Vikram lander as the ‘Shiv Shakti’ point and the Chandrayaan-2 lunar landing point as the ‘Tiranga’ point.
In his address, PM Modi highlighted the significance of these designations, stating, “This will be an inspiration for every effort made by India. It will remind us that any failure is not final.” He also interacted with women scientists who played pivotal roles in the ‘Chandrayaan-3’ project, commending their contributions to the successful outcome of India’s maiden lunar landing mission.
India recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first country to successfully place a lander near the uncharted lunar South Pole, marking a monumental achievement in the nation’s space exploration journey.
The ISRO chairman’s remarks underscore India’s commitment to advancing its capabilities in space exploration and the importance of continued investment to drive progress in this vital sector.