Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been honoured with the prestigious Leif Erikson Lunar Prize by the Husavik Museum for its contributions to lunar exploration.
The award acknowledged ISRO's steadfast commitment to lunar exploration, citing its significant role in advancing our understanding of celestial mysteries.
The Leif Erikson Lunar Prize specifically celebrated the success of India's latest lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, which achieved a historic feat by landing near the Moon's South Pole on August 23, 2023.
Named after the Norse explorer Leif Erikson, the prize is awarded by the Exploration Museum in Husavik, Iceland, to individuals or organisations that have made substantial contributions to the field of lunar exploration.
The mission's success can be attributed to various technological enhancements, including improved navigation algorithms, guidance systems, and fault tolerance mechanisms by ISRO.
The mission's lander Vikram, equipped with the Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE), provided valuable data on lunar surface temperature, reaching a depth of 10 centimetres below the lunar surface.
The Pragyan rover conducted in-situ experiments, further contributing to the wealth of knowledge about the Moon and enhancing our understanding of its unique characteristics.
The software enhancements played a crucial role in ensuring a seamless descent and landing on the lunar surface, showcasing India's technological prowess in space exploration.
S Somanath, ISRO's Chairman, expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed upon the organisation, emphasising the significance of the recognition.
The Leif Erikson Lunar Prize was received on behalf of ISRO by Ambassador Balasubramanian Shyam, symbolising international recognition of India's growing prowess in space exploration.