International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially names Chandrayaan-3 landing site "Shiva Shakti"
The Indian Space Research Organisation's Chandrayaan-3 mission, a monumental leap in space exploration, has been internationally recognized with the esteemed Aviation Week Laureates Award. 
 
This comes months after ISRO was honoured with the distinguished Leif Erikson Lunar Prize for its pioneering Chandrayaan-3 mission.
 
Adding to the mission's historical significance, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has officially named the Chandrayaan-3 landing site "Shiva Shakti".
 
The latest accolade was received on ISRO's behalf by Sripriya Ranganathan, Charge d'Affaires at the Indian Embassy in the US at a ceremony on March 19, 2024.
 
The award appreciated ISRO's groundbreaking achievements in aerospace innovation.
 
“Indian Space Research Organization Chandrayaan-3
ISRO Chairman Sreedhara Somanath brought India’s space program back from the loss of its Chandrayaan-2 lunar lander in 2019 to become the fourth nation to land a rover on the Moon, landing the farthest south of any mission so far. The mission confirmed the presence of water in that region of the Moon as well as the presence of sulphur near the lunar South Pole," reads the full text from the official Aviation Week Laureates Award announcement. 
 
Chandrayaan-3's mission to the Moon was not just about reaching our celestial neighbour but pushing the boundaries of what is possible. With a modest budget of USD75 million, the mission achieved a historic landing at the lunar South Pole, a feat that has etched India's name among the leading nations in space exploration.
 
This remarkable achievement was further amplified by the mission's discovery of water in the region, a finding that revolutionizes our understanding of the Moon and opens new avenues for future lunar habitation and research.
 
The mission's lander, Vikram, equipped with the Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE), provided unprecedented data on the lunar surface temperature, delving 10 centimetres below the surface. Meanwhile, the Pragyan rover's in-situ experiments contributed significantly to our growing body of knowledge about the Moon. The detection of sulphur and the confirmation of water presence are among the mission's key findings, offering insights into the Moon's composition and the potential for sustaining life in future explorations.
 
"Shiva Shakti": A Named Legacy on the Lunar Surface
 
Significantly, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has officially named the Chandrayaan-3 landing site "Shiva Shakti," a name proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 
 
This designation not only honours the mission's success but also embodies the masculine and feminine duality of nature, reflecting India's rich cultural heritage. Furthermore, August 23, the day Chandrayaan-3 made its successful landing, has been declared 'National Space Day', marking a new annual celebration of India's achievements in space exploration.
 
The Aviation Week Laureates Award characterizes ISRO's dedication and innovation in the aerospace sector. This recognition from the international community not only celebrates the technical accomplishments of the Chandrayaan-3 mission but also ISRO's enduring commitment to advancing human knowledge through space exploration. 
 
The Chandrayaan-3 mission's success and the subsequent international accolades underline the importance of collaborative exploration and the endless possibilities that lie in the cosmos. As ISRO prepares for future missions, the world watches with anticipation, eager to see how the boundaries of space exploration will be pushed further in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery.