18th October 2024: The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) hosted the World Space Award 2024 in Milan, Italy, recognizing India’s significant contributions to lunar exploration and its growing prominence in the global space community. The award was presented to S. Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), for the remarkable achievements of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Launched on July 6 last year from Sriharikota, Chandrayaan-3 successfully made a soft landing near the South Pole on August 23.
In his acceptance speech, S. Somanath expressed gratitude to the global space community: “I thank everyone for recognizing our efforts in making this historic event possible. Touching down on the Moon’s southern side with Chandrayaan-3 is a culmination of a journey we began in 2007 with Chandrayaan-1, our first mission to the Moon, where we discovered water. Following that, Chandrayaan-2 laid the groundwork for our successful Chandrayaan-3 mission. This achievement has transformed perceptions of lunar exploration, not only in India but worldwide. I look forward to future collaborations and working with stakeholders to expand our presence on the Moon, with further missions in the pipeline to return samples. Lastly, I am grateful for the recognition given to me and my team.”
On this remarkable achievement, Mr. Neel Achary, CEO, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions Pvt. Ltd. wishes to extend heartfelt congratulations to Team ISRO, led by the exceptional S. Somanath, stating, “Their outstanding dedication, relentless effort, and innovative spirit have played a pivotal role in advancing space exploration and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This significant milestone not only reflects their hard work but also showcases India’s growing capabilities in the global space arena.”