ISRO and Team Chandrayaan-3 Honoured for Outstanding Contribution to Brand India

In a historic moment on August 23, India’s Chandrayaan-3 achieved remarkable lunar landing, making India the first country to reach the Lunar South Pole. The successful mission, a testament to India’s scientific prowess, has solidified its status as a space superpower. Notably, this achievement did not only resonate in the scientific community but also garnered recognition in the business world. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Chandrayaan-3 team were recently honored with the “Outstanding Contribution to Brand India” award at the 19^th India Business Leader Awards (IBLA), held in Mumbai on December 2.

Scientific Triumph at a Budget

Chandrayaan-3’s success is not only a reflection of India’s scientific ingenuity but also a demonstration of efficient budget management. Executed at a cost of Rs.600 crore, the mission achieved what Hollywood’s various depictions of space explorations often portray at a fraction of the cost. In contrast, the recent Russian moon mission, which unfortunately ended in failure, incurred a cost of around Rs.16,000 crore. This cost-effectiveness has drawn global attention, with NASA expressing interest in acquiring the technology and instruments used in Chandrayaan-3.

Challenges Overcome

The Chandrayaan-3 mission faced numerous challenges, including navigating uncharted lunar terrain and enduring extreme lunar nights with temperatures dropping to minus-280 degrees Celsius. Despite these hurdles, the mission’s Vikram rover successfully completed its objectives, showcasing the resilience and determination of the ISRO team.

Scientific Discoveries

Designed to operate for one lunar day, or 14 Earth days, the solar-powered Chandrayaan-3 exceeded expectations its tasks by September 2. During its mission, the Vikram rover made significant discoveries, including confirming the presence of sulphur on the lunar surface. Additionally, it identified other elements like aluminium, calcium and silicon, contributing valuable data to our understanding of the moon’s composition.

Global Recognition and Awards

The “Outstanding Contribution to Brand India” award bestowed upon ISRO and the Chandrayaan-3 team at the IBLA is a recognition of their remarkable achievements in space exploration. This acknowledgment not only celebrates the scientific success but also underscores the positive impact on India’s global image. The ability to accomplish groundbreaking missions at a fraction of the cost demonstrates India’s commitment to space exploration and innovation.