Successor to Chandrayan-3; NASA probe lands on Moon's South pole

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Chandrayaan-3 probe successfully landed on the South Pole of the Moon. During the visit of NASA chief Bill Nelson to India, he announced that US private companies plan to land their probes on the Moon's South Pole next year. These missions aim to carry out follow-up research in collaboration with India's Chandrayaan program.

This marks the first visit by the head of NASA to India, symbolizing efforts to strengthen the partnership between ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and NASA. Bill Nelson met with Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh to discuss upcoming joint projects. His agenda includes engagements with Indian private companies and students involved in the space sector. Nelson is scheduled to visit Bengaluru's spacecraft manufacturing facility for the Nisar project, which stands as the initial collaboration between NASA and ISRO. The Nisar mission, an Earth observation system is set for launch in 2024. Its purpose is to gather comprehensive data about Earth's habitats, mountains, polar regions, sea ice, coastal oceans and diverse climates.

The NASA chief assured India of support in establishing its own space station and training an Indian astronaut for a visit to the International Space Station in 2024. Discussions are ongoing to strengthen NASA's partnership with ISRO exploring opportunities for commercial space stations involving drug research in zero gravity.

Bill Nelson emphasized India's rising stature in space research with the successful Chandrayaan-3 landing at the Moon's South Pole. India's upcoming projects such as the first Venus mission, Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-4 further solidify its position as a significant partner in space exploration. India aims to establish an independent space station by 2035 and plans to send astronauts to the Moon by 2040.

Additionally, NASA will collaborate with India to test various elements of the Gaganyaan mission particularly the module's micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection shields through NASA's hypervelocity tests.