ISRO shared a video on August 26 featuring the Pragyan rover exploring the lunar surface at the Shiv Shakti landing site, where the Vikram lander had previously landed. The video showcased the rover's activities on the moon, highlighting its graceful movements and scientific endeavors.
The rover's journey was depicted as a symphony of science and ambition, with its wheels leaving imprints on the lunar regolith. The video unveiled various activities performed by the rover, as it extended its instruments to probe the moon's mysteries. The emotional impact of the video was profound, evoking pride, nostalgia, and wonder among viewers. This visual tale celebrated the fusion of technology and science, paying homage to human determination and our connection to the cosmos. Ultimately, the video served as a reminder that our dreams and explorations extend beyond Earth, leaving an enduring impression on our cosmic consciousness.
Posting on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, ISRO announced, "The Pragyan rover is currently exploring Shiv Shakti Point to uncover lunar mysteries at the South Pole!"
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
— ISRO (@isro) August 26, 2023
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Pragyan rover roams around Shiv Shakti Point in pursuit of lunar secrets at the South Pole 🌗! pic.twitter.com/1g5gQsgrjM
What Is Shiv Shakti Point?
The landing site of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander, known as Shiv Shakti Point, was where it made a successful soft landing on the Moon's South Pole on August 23, 2023. The name Shiv Shakti Point was officially assigned on August 26, 2023, at the headquarters of ISTRAC in Bengaluru. This achievement marked India as the first nation to achieve a triumphant soft landing on the Moon's South Pole and the fourth country globally to achieve a successful lunar surface landing. The coordinates of Shivshakti Point are 69.367621°S 32.348126°E, situated between the craters Manzinus C and Simpelius N.
Prime Minister Modi announced that the area on the moon where Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed will be designated as the "Shiv Shakti Point." This is the location where the Vikram lander touched down.
Just hours later, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's declaration, the location where the Vikram lander made contact with the moon's surface will be referred to as the 'Shiv Shakti' point. Additionally, August 23, the day of the Chandrayaan-3 mission's triumph, has been designated as National Space Day.
An evidently moved Prime Minister Modi spoke to the scientists at ISRO's command center in Bengaluru who had participated in the Chandrayaan-3 project, commending their dedication. ISRO released a video on August 26, displaying the Pragyan rover's exploration of the lunar surface at the Shiv Shakti location, where the Vikram lander had landed. This event occurred shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that the designated landing spot of the Vikram lander would now be referred to as the 'Shiv Shakti' point on the moon.