Today, India celebrates National Space Day, a day dedicated to commemorating the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander on the Moon on August 23, 2023. This achievement placed India among the elite group of nations that have landed on the lunar surface, and made it the first to reach the South Pole. The Pragyan Rover commenced scientific investigations on the Moon’s surface after the landing. The site was christened ‘Shiva Shakti Point,’ representing India’s scientific and cultural legacy. The government designated August 23 as ‘National Space Day’ to honor this extraordinary accomplishment and to highlight the nation’s progress in space exploration. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: From Ancient Knowledge to Limitless Possibilities.’ This theme highlights India’s rich astronomical history and its modern space endeavors. It acknowledges the legacy of the astronomer Aryabhata and emphasizes future initiatives, such as the Gaganyaan human space mission. The theme aims to inspire the younger generation to pursue careers in STEM fields and to demonstrate how space technology can contribute to sustainable development in sectors like agriculture, communication, disaster management, meteorology, and navigation.
