India First To Moon’s South Pole
Posted on 08/23/2023
India has arrived at the moon, its rover landing on the south pole where water is thought to be. India last attempted to reach the moon in 2019. India is fourth after the U.S., Russia, and China to send craft to the moon, with the U.S. manned mission occurring in 1969.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was filled with pride at the achievement: “India is now on the moon. India has reached the south pole of the moon. No other country has achieved that.” Modi waved India’s flag at the announcement.
NASA has plans to return humans to the moon in a mere two years, and after that to set its sights on Mars: “With Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. We will collaborate with commercial and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon. Then, we will use what we learn on and around the Moon to take the next giant leap: sending the first astronauts to Mars.”
