Former NASA Official Mike Gold has praised the success of Chandrayaan-3, highlighting its significance for India and the world. He extended his congratulations to ISRO and the people of India, emphasizing that this achievement not only reflects India’s progress but also marks a pivotal moment in lunar development globally. Gold, now Chief Growth Officer of Redwire Space, noted the impressive accomplishment of Chandrayaan-3 despite India’s limited resources. He commended Indian innovation, human capital, and capabilities, which he believes will propel the country even further. Redwire Corporation, an American aerospace manufacturer and space technology company, is associated with Gold.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Gold described the mission as a stepping stone in India’s exploration journey, particularly as India is part of the Artemis Accords. He looked forward to India’s collaboration with commercial space enterprises like Redwire, focusing on projects such as lunar gateway construction and landing pad system development.
Gold underscored that this marks the initiation of a new era under India’s leadership. He praised the achievement of Chandrayaan-3’s successful soft landing on the moon, hailing it as a fantastic milestone and appreciating the sight of the Indian flag on the lunar surface.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, achieving a soft landing on the moon, was celebrated by ISRO and the nation at large. The Vikram lander carrying the Pragyaan rover accomplished this feat, making India the fourth country globally, after the US, China, and Russia, to achieve a successful lunar landing. Furthermore, India secured its place in history by being the first to land on the moon’s south side.
The soft landing event was commemorated through special screenings across the country, held in schools, science centers, and public institutions. ISRO enabled live coverage through various platforms, including its website, YouTube channel, Facebook, and DD National TV.
The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on July 14. Mike Gold praised the mission’s significance, irrespective of the landing outcome, for its potential to gather crucial data about the moon, resource utilization, and future lunar settlements. He highlighted the ongoing collaboration between NASA and ISRO, focusing on Earth-centered projects like NISAR, which contribute vital data to address climate change on a global scale. Gold anticipates that these collaborations will extend to lunar endeavors, driving mutual progress and exploration.
