To the Moon and Beyond: India’s Inspirational Space Odyssey

“Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success” – Abdul Kalam

Lunar Glory

A nation united and the world applauded when Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India is now on the Moon”. For decades, space exploration was largely spearheaded by the Western world. Russia was its only real contender in the so-called ‘Space Race’.

Fast forward to 2023, it was neither the US, Russia nor any other influential nation that made history by being the first to touchdown on the Moon’s south pole. It was India, a nation that has seen a meteoric rise in its global influence alongside China.

After Russia’s ‘Luna 25’ mission (47 years in the making) failed to land on the southern hemisphere of the moon, all eyes were on India and ‘Chandrayaan-3’. On Wednesday (23), tense moments preceded the landing, but confirmation of touchdown sparked widespread jubilation.

Not only did this unparalleled achievement cement India’s position as a remarkable player in the realm of space exploration but enhanced its reputation for cost-competitive space engineering, accomplished with only a budget of $75 Million. To compare, Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster sci-fi film ‘Interstellar’ (2014) cost a whopping $165 Million.

From Bullock Carts & Bicycles…

India’s space odyssey has humble beginnings. It launched the ‘Nike Apache’ in 1963. Interestingly, components for rockets were transported to the launchpad through bicycles or bullock carts at the time.

Since the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969, it has earned a reputation for handling complex missions and delivering significant results while operating on tight budgets.

The ISRO’s latest and historic feat is a testament that anything is possible with abundant resolve, despite operating with limited resources. It is a victory for both scientific advancement and national pride.

Chandrayaan-1 & 2: A Springboard for Success

India’s maiden lunar mission was Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008. This orbiter discovered water molecules on the Moon’s surface, providing vital insight into the planet.

Chandrayaan-2 was India’s most ambitious lunar mission to date. Launched in 2019, Chandrayaan-2 was unable to land on the Moon’s surface but deployed an orbiter that remains active today.

Using the crash landing of Chandrayaan-2 as a stepping stone, ISRO scientists developed ‘Chandrayaan-3’ and the rest is history.

The Power of Perseverance

India’s space exploration journey is a tale of dedication, inspiration, and resilience. It is a proven demonstration of what a nation can achieve through unwavering determination, overcoming obstacles, and reaching for the stars.

It is not only a story of landing on the Moon, but one that should inspire its regional peers and the world alike to be undeterred by setbacks on the path to success.