In a landmark achievement for India, Dr. S Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was awarded the prestigious IAF World Space Award for 2024 in Milan on Monday. This honor was given in recognition of ISRO’s successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, which significantly advanced lunar exploration.
ISRO shared the news on social media, announcing that Dr. S. Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO, has been honored with the esteemed IAF World Space Award for the significant success of Chandrayaan-3. This recognition celebrates India’s contributions to space exploration. Celebrations underway in Milan as we continue to strive for new frontiers.”
The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) had previously announced the award in June, honoring outstanding contributions to space science and technology. Dr. Somanath received the award on Monday, with the IAF praising the Chandrayaan-3 mission for exemplifying the integration of scientific curiosity and cost-effective engineering. The mission reflects India’s dedication to excellence and the potential of space exploration for humanity.
The IAF highlighted that Chandrayaan-3 achieved a historic milestone by being the first mission to land near the lunar South Pole, showcasing India’s technological capabilities and aspirations on a global stage. Last year, the IAF presented this award to Elon Musk for his contributions to astronautics through SpaceX, recognizing his visionary approach and commitment to advancing space exploration.
