23 Aug 2023
The Chandrayaan-3 is expected to remain functional for two weeks and run a series of experiments on the moon
India's Chandrayaan-3 makes historic landing on the lunar south pole
India has become the first country to land near the Moon's south pole, just days after a Russian spacecraft crashed trying to reach the area.
The spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 will now spend two weeks looking for frozen water, which could support astronauts on future Moon and Mars explorations.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the success, while scientists and officials clapped, cheered and hugged each other as the spacecraft landed.
"This moment is unforgettable. It is phenomenal. This is a victory cry of a new India," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was seen waving the Indian flag as he watched the landing from South Africa.
"India is now on the moon. India has reached the south pole of the moon — no other country has achieved that. We are witnessing history."
The success puts India in the league of space powers, and it's become only the fourth country to successfully land on the Moon following US, China and the former Soviet Union.
This was India's second attempt to land a spacecraft on the moon and comes less than a week after Russia's Luna-25 mission failed.
The south pole — far from the equatorial region targeted by previous missions, including the crewed Apollo landings — is full of craters and deep trenches.